After Delhi Police crackdown, CJP protesters stay put at Jantar Mantar; Dipke apologises to injured supporters

Public Lokpal
July 21, 2026

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters continued their sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, a day after a police crackdown on their "Sansad Chalo" march, with founder Abhijeet Dipke apologising to supporters injured during the action and vowing to continue the agitation.

Despite overnight rain, protesters remained at the site amid heavy security deployment. Volunteers cleaned the protest venue on Tuesday morning, while the stage -- the only structure left after police dismantled tents and temporary installations on Monday -- remained standing, though its canopy was left in a tattered condition.

Several young supporters met Dipke and alleged that police personnel without name tags had assaulted protesters, including women, and called them "terrorists". Dipke was seen folding his hands and apologising to those gathered.

Addressing the protesters, Dipke rejected claims circulating on social media that the movement's leaders had deserted the protest site. He said CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das had gone to meet Union Minister J P Nadda in an effort to resolve the impasse.

Later, in a series of posts on X, Dipke apologised to those injured during Monday's police action.

"I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten up by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police," he wrote.

"To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for the deaths of more than 20 students, the government was willing to spill the blood of many more young students," Dipke alleged.

"If you were injured and see this, please DM me. I want to speak to you personally and apologise. We will keep fighting for all of you," he said in another post, while separately describing the developments as, "Not a democracy."

Meanwhile, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike had entered its 24th day.

"Sonam Wangchuk is on the 24th day of his hunger strike. He is still fighting for us. We won't stop. Pradhan has to be sacked," Ranka said in a post on X.

Thousands of protesters had assembled at Jantar Mantar on Monday for the CJP's planned march to Parliament despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, multi-layered barricades and heavy security arrangements.

Police used force, including lathicharge and tear gas shells, after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament. Both the protesters and the police blamed each other for the violence.

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.

Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by the Delhi Police on July 18, has continued his hunger strike from the hospital.