The protest by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) and students at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, India, continued on Wednesday. Despite the rain on Wednesday morning, the protesters remained steadfast at Jantar Mantar. They used tarpaulins to shield themselves from the rain.

Earlier, on Tuesday evening, opposition leaders including Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) and Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) visited the protest site to express solidarity with the movement.

The protest began in opposition to alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India.

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) stated that thousands of protesters had already gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since early Wednesday morning. Party spokesperson Saurabh Das, sharing images of the growing crowd at the protest site, warned that if the government did not address their demands, millions more would take to the streets.

According to Indian media outlet Hindustan Times, strict security arrangements have been implemented in various areas of Delhi, including the Parliament building and Rafi Marg. The CJP has continued its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Indian media have reported that six FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the clashes and vandalism during Monday’s Parliament march. According to police, investigations are being carried out from the angle that there may have been a widespread and criminal conspiracy behind the incident.

Although police cleared the protest site by removing the stage on Monday evening, the protesters returned to Jantar Mantar and resumed their sit-in.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has held protests in various Indian states, including Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam, against the baton charge on students and the arrest of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. On Tuesday, Rahul, Priyanka, and other Congress leaders staged a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav was also detained by police during the same period.

Following an order from the Delhi High Court, fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk was transferred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He remains on an indefinite hunger strike. According to Indian media, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh and Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda visited the hospital on Tuesday night to inquire about his health condition.

Dozens arrested, many injured in ‘Chalo Sansad’ march

At least 70 protesters were arrested during Monday’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. Afterwards, the CJP, Aam Aadmi Party, and others announced they would provide free legal assistance to the arrested students.

Thousands of protesters participated in the march toward Parliament. Despite roadblocks, the closure of some metro stations, and suspension of mobile internet services, protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and proceeded toward Parliament.

By afternoon, clashes had broken out between protesters and police in areas around Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Raisina Road, India Gate, and Ashoka Road. To control the crowd, police used batons and tear gas. Many protesters were injured in the incident.

They were admitted for treatment at Lady Hardinge and Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospitals. It has been reported that a female protester is being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of RML Hospital.

Delhi Police stated that 118 of their security personnel were injured during the protest. According to police, the situation got out of control after protesters violated prohibitory orders and threw stones and other objects.

What was Dharmendra Pradhan’s response?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the Congress protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence. He accused Congress of using students for political purposes to disrupt the monsoon session of Parliament.