CJP alleges internet shutdown at Jantar Mantar; Dipke claims another police crackdown

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday alleged that internet services were shut down around Jantar Mantar where its supporters have been staging a sit-in, and questioned if the government was preparing for another police crackdown on the agitation.

In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, “Internet service shutdown at Jantar Mantar. Govt planning another brutal crackdown?”

In another post, Dipke appealed to police and paramilitary personnel deployed at the protest site not to use force against demonstrators.

“Appeal to police and paramilitary forces deployed to crush the protest. Do not obey illegal orders that ask you to beat up innocent protesters. This is your test as well. Will you stand with the people, or with authoritarians,” he wrote.

The posts came as protesters continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day after the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, during which the Delhi Police used baton charges and tear gas shells to stop demonstrators from marching towards Parliament.

The CJP has alleged excessive use of force during the police action, while the Delhi Police has maintained that action was taken after protesters attempted to breach security arrangements.

The agitation, which began on June 20, is demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation for families of students who allegedly committed suicide due to the paper leak.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, on Wednesday said he would end his fast if the Centre assured that no punitive action or FIRs would be initiated against the students and youth who participated in the protest.

He is admitted at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after being shifted there from Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.