The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for nationwide protests after activist Sonam Wangchuk was moved to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. His health had worsened at the CJP's protest site in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Following Wangchuk's eviction from the site, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced he would take over the protest by starting his own indefinite hunger strike from Saturday.
Dipke alleges police assault and detention
According to The Hindu, Dipke had earlier criticized the government for ignoring Wangchuk's fast, calling it "cruel." After the eviction, Dipke posted on social media that protesters were assaulted during the police operation.
"I have been beaten up and put under detention by Delhi Police." — Abhijeet Dipke, via social media post, as reported by Times of India
Planned march to Parliament continues
The CJP has confirmed that its planned march to Parliament, scheduled for Monday, will go ahead as originally planned. The party is calling for nationwide protests in response to what it describes as a police crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
According to Instagram, Dipke was also detained during the operation that removed Wangchuk from the protest site.
Our Take: A protest movement escalates
This is a clear escalation in the protest movement. When one activist's health fails, another steps in immediately. The CJP is signaling that it will not back down, even as the government remains silent on the core demands. Dipke's decision to go on an indefinite fast himself raises the stakes significantly. The planned march to Parliament on Monday will be a key test of whether this movement can sustain public attention and pressure. The allegations of police violence, if true, could further galvanize support for the protesters.
