The protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi entered its eleventh day on Tuesday, with activist Sonam Wangchuk's blood sugar level dropping during the third day of his hunger strike and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleging restrictions on supporters reaching the protest site while intensifying attacks on the government over examination irregularities.
A health update shared by the organisers said Wangchuk's blood pressure was recorded at 117/60, oxygen saturation at 96 and pulse rate at 92. His blood sugar level was 66, below the normal range, they said. "There is extreme heat here. Staying without food in such conditions is difficult. We are taking care of his health," a doctor present at the protest site said.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said Wangchuk's health condition should be taken seriously and warned that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan would be held responsible if anything happened to the activist.
Reacting to BJP president Nitin Nabin's remarks referring to those at the protest as a "virus", Dipke questioned the language used against protesters.
"They call us virus. We are not a virus. BJP should come, there is a vaccine, an anti-virus against a virus named Dharmendra Pradhan," Dipke said.
He alleged that while the government was using such language against protesters, the issues being raised related to students, education and accountability.
At a press conference at Jantar Mantar, Dipke also criticised the BJP's response to the protest, claiming that BJP workers attempting to disrupt the protest were not facing any consequences.
"From the first day, I have been saying there is no law and order. The police presence is not for security but to prevent water and food from reaching us and to stop people from coming," he alleged.
He later clarified that some supporters were stopped near the protest venue due to a lack of identity cards.
Questioning the move, he asked whether an ordinary citizen needed an identity card to come to Jantar Mantar.
Dipke also alleged that farmer leaders and student activists were being placed under house arrest while those involved in examination irregularities were not being acted against.
"If the same pressure and effort were put on the paper mafia, these students would not have lost their lives," he said.
He further claimed that those accused of violence against people were not being arrested, while restrictions were imposed on those trying to join the protest. “People who broke someone's head are not arrested, but those coming here are being stopped," he said.
Regarding examination irregularities, Dipke highlighted the Rajasthan Paramedical Council examination paper leak, alleging that the paper was leaked from a college in Jaipur.
Calling it "double engine, double leak", he alleged that the government had failed to ensure proper conduct of examinations.
CJP spokesperson Ranka said the issue was not limited to the NEET examination and urged students and parents to join the protest.
"Do not think it's only about the NEET paper leak. If you do not raise your voice today, tomorrow your paper could also be leaked, and your job may be at risk," he warned.
Referring to the recent Rajasthan examination issue, he claimed that more than 150 paper leaks had taken place since 2015 and appealed to parents not to stop their children from participating out of fear or support for any political figure.
"If you stop them from coming out of fear or devotion, their future will be destroyed," he said.
Dipke also criticised the government's response to the demands raised by the protesters, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over political developments.
He alleged that the government was busy with political activities, including "breaking parties", buying MPs and foreign visits instead of addressing the education crisis. His remarks that the prime minister was busy with "world tours, breaking opposition parties and giving Melody" drew cheers from the crowd.
Holding Pradhan accountable for student deaths, Dipke said the minister should have resigned after the first such incident.
"If students have died, then have the courage to speak to their families. The blood of more than 20 students is on Pradhan's hands," he added.
He said the protesters would continue their agitation despite the circumstances. "We are going to sit here. One person is risking his life; what else do you expect us to do?" Dipke said.
The six students associated with the All India Students' Association also continued their indefinite hunger strike from a separate stage at the venue. They include Neha, AISA All India President; Danish, JNUSU Joint Secretary; Manish, AISA Uttar Pradesh President; Deepak, AISA Delhi University Vice President; Hrishikesh, President of Barak Hostel, JNU; and Aameen, former CC member of AUD Students Council.
The protest by CJP began on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including NEET. Dipke has said the agitation will not remain limited to education-related issues and that other accountability issues, including electoral matters such as Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, will also be raised.