Dipke announces hunger strike (PTI image)
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday announced that he has begun an indefinite hunger strike, saying the fast starts “right now” after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from the protest site at Jantar Mantar earlier in the day.Announcing the decision on X, Dipke wrote, “I am starting an indefinite hunger strike beginning right now,” marking the next phase of the group’s agitation. “I appeal to everyone: do not back down; this movement will only grow larger. They have made a grave mistake… I urge everyone to come to Jantar Mantar; our movement will continue from here, and we will proceed with our march scheduled for July 20th,” he said while addressing the protestors. Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike against alleged irregularities in the NEET examination entered Day 21 on Saturday. He was removed from the stage 48 hours before his planned march to Parliament, and has been taken to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital.Demands PM’s resignationCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday also claimed that he was “beaten and put under detention” by the Delhi Police as chaos erupted at Jantar Mantar after Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital. Escalating his demands, he called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation.”If they think that taking Sonam sir away will end this movement, they are mistaken. We will remain here and march to Parliament on July 20,” Dipke said.”Until now, we were demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. But after this despicable act, we will now demand Narendra Modi’s resignation,” he added. CJP has been spearheading protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June 20, demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and seeking the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk joined the agitation on June 28 and was remain on an indefinite hunger strike since then.As per CJP’s official X account annoucement, the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on July 20 will proceed as planned.
