The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday claimed that the Centre had reached out for talks for the first time since the protest at Jantar Mantar began, with party leaders saying they were on their way to meet BJP president and Union minister JP Nadda.
The claim came hours before the outfit’s planned ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. However, there has been no official confirmation from the government regarding the proposed meeting.
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Has the government initiated talks?
In a post on X, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said he and fellow spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka were heading to meet JP Nadda after the government allegedly contacted the party earlier in the day.
“The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth has gathered in huge numbers,” Das said.
Speaking to ANI earlier, Das also said the party was willing to engage in dialogue.
“They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. The ball is in their court,” he said. As of publication, the Centre has not confirmed the CJP’s claim.
What is happening at the protest site?
The development came amid heightened tensions at Jantar Mantar, where thousands of supporters gathered for the proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. Clashes were reported between protesters and police, with the CJP alleging that some protesters were lathi-charged.
According to Delhi Police, no permission had been sought or granted for the proposed march. On Sunday, authorities imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in parts of New Delhi, citing law and order concerns.
Police officials later said no consensus had been reached regarding permission for the procession.
The protest intensified after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike since last month, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on July 18 following Delhi High Court directions to monitor his health. The CJP alleged he was forcibly taken from the protest site, while police maintained the move was based on medical considerations.
Following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also began an indefinite fast.
FAQs
Q1. Has the government confirmed talks with the CJP?
No. While the CJP claims the Centre reached out and a meeting with JP Nadda is planned, there has been no official confirmation from the government.
Q2. Why is the CJP protesting at Jantar Mantar?
The protest is centred on climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike and the party’s demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, among other issues.
