'Arrest me first': Dipke defies police after CJP protest extension denied at Jantar Mantar | WATCH
Delhi Police has refused to extend permission for an ongoing student-led protest at Jantar Mantar, even as demonstrators intensified their campaign against alleged examination irregularities, paper leaks and recruitment test controversies by banging plates and raising fresh demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The development has cast uncertainty over the future of the protest, which drew students and youth from different parts of the country to the national capital. Despite the police decision, protest organisers insisted that the agitation would continue until their key demands are addressed.
Leading the demonstration, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said he would not leave the protest site and reiterated that the movement would continue until the education minister steps down.
"I request the authorities... since youth from all over the country is here. They want to sit here till we get justice. (I) request Delhi Police to extend our permission. The protest has been peaceful; we are just innocent students who want to sit here," Dipke said while urging authorities to reconsider the decision and allow the gathering to continue.
The protest took on a louder and more symbolic tone after organisers asked supporters to bring "thalis" and "chammachs" to the venue. Protesters repeatedly struck plates and spoons while chanting slogans against the government and demanding action over alleged failures in the examination system.
Calls for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation dominated the demonstration, with protesters accusing the government of failing to adequately address concerns over exam management and repeated allegations of paper leaks.
Dipke said communication channels remain open but maintained that the resignation of the education minister remains a central demand of the movement. He also appealed to Delhi Police to facilitate dialogue with the Centre and said he would be prepared to face arrest if authorities move against protesters.
"If there are arrests, I will be the first to court arrest," he said.
The protest began amid a heavy police presence around Jantar Mantar, with participants carrying placards and raising slogans over alleged examination irregularities, paper leak controversies and concerns about fairness in competitive and recruitment examinations.
Why are students protesting at Jantar Mantar?
The protesters say they are demanding greater accountability over alleged examination irregularities, stronger safeguards against paper leaks and reforms aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent examination process for students and job aspirants.
The agitation has also centred on calls for political accountability, with demonstrators seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
With agency inputs