Protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi have escalated with reports of stone-pelting and police lathi charges near Tolstoy Marg.
The unrest signals a deepening conflict between the activist group and the Indian government, centering on accusations of state aggression and political rhetoric.
New video footage has emerged showing clashes in the Tolstoy Marg area, where police used lathi charges to disperse crowds [1]. The violence follows attempts by protesters to resume a march toward Jantar Mantar [2]. Reports indicate that internet services were snapped in the vicinity during the unrest [2].
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is a “real terrorist” [3]. Dipke said he will continue the demonstrations until Pradhan resigns from his position [3]. The demand for resignation follows a statement by Pradhan, who labeled the CJP a “B team of terrorists” [3].
Alongside the street protests, activist Sonam Wangchuk remains on an indefinite hunger strike [2]. Wangchuk has been fasting for more than 20 days [2].
Delhi police and agitators have traded charges regarding the onset of the violence [1]. The CJP continues to cite broader grievances against the government as the primary driver for their ongoing mobilization in the capital.
“Abhijeet Dipke said Dharmendra Pradhan is a “real terrorist””
The escalation of the CJP protests reflects a volatile cycle of rhetoric where government labeling of activists as terrorists is met with reciprocal accusations. The combination of street violence and the prolonged hunger strike by a high-profile figure like Sonam Wangchuk increases the political pressure on the Ministry of Education and may lead to further restrictive security measures in Delhi's administrative zones.
