New Delhi: As the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) intensified its protest against the Centre on Monday, party founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
Dipke had begun his fast after Wangchuk was hospitalised on July 18, when the activist’s own 21-day hunger strike required medical intervention.
#IMPORTANT: It’s 11:52 AM. Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janta Party, are on our way to meet J.P. Nadda. The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth has gathered in huge numbers.
We shall win!
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 20, 2026
CJP leaders head to meet JP Nadda
Meanwhile, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda as party supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar to press for examination reforms.
Sharing an update on X, Saurav Das said the government had reached out for talks earlier in the day.
“It’s 11:52 AM. Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janata Party, are on our way to meet J.P. Nadda. The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth have gathered in huge numbers. We shall win!” Das wrote.
Earlier, Das said the organisation was willing to hold discussions with the government over its long-standing demands for reforms in the examination system.
While acknowledging that the administration had initiated contact, he claimed there was still no clarity from the government’s side, adding that “the ball is in their court.”
Sonam Wangchuk seeks discharge from hospital
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk urged authorities at Safdarjung Hospital to discharge him, saying his health had stabilised and he wanted to participate in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march led by CJP activists.
Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, was admitted to the hospital after his fast entered its 21st day.
In a note shared on X, Wangchuk wrote:
“This is to state that I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal. Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the March to the Parliament – Sansad Chalo this morning. I shall be most grateful.”
Police tighten security near Parliament
Earlier in the day, police used a mild lathi charge to disperse protesters attempting to march towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar, leading to traffic disruptions in central Delhi.
According to a police advisory, processions, demonstrations and gatherings of five or more people are prohibited except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior permission. Security has been tightened around Parliament as the Monsoon Session began on Monday.