CJP now calls for nationwide protests in India, urges all classes to join

Supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) have been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for nearly a month. With their demand for the education minister's resignation unmet, the party has now called for protests across the country. The organisation has urged people from all walks of life to join Friday's programme .

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka announced the nationwide programme on Thursday, stating that the movement must spread beyond Delhi. Peaceful protests should be held in every city and village. "Let's take this protest to the national level. Please hold peaceful protests in every city and village across the country on July 24 (Friday)," he said .

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijit Deepak has hinted at expanding the demands alongside spreading the movement nationwide. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Abhijit addressed Narendra Modi, saying that if the demand for Education Minister Dharamendra Pradhan's resignation is ignored, the protests will escalate. He warned that if the government fails to act, the movement will not remain limited to demanding the education minister's resignation .

Abhijit said, "I am once again urging Modiji, please accept Dharamendra Pradhan's resignation. Otherwise, the matter will escalate to demanding your resignation." Calling the education minister incompetent and a failure, Abhijit said that the interests of millions of students should take precedence over saving one minister. He warned that if a failed and incompetent minister is given more importance, no one will vote for the government in India's elections .

Amid the escalating situation, Union Minister JP Nadda said on Thursday that the government is ready for another round of talks with the protesters. He suggested his office or residence as possible venues. However, the CJP had previously stated that the next round of talks must be held either at the protest site or at a neutral location.

Tensions rise in New Delhi
Around 4:30pm local time on Thursday, journalists from Hindustan Times witnessed a highly tense situation at the Parliament Street-Tolstoy Lane area in Delhi. Protesters and police were face to face, separated only by rope barricades. Tensions escalated when bottles were thrown towards the police.

The government has also extended the suspension of internet services in central Delhi to curb the protests. According to the new directive, mobile operators have been instructed to keep the internet shut in the area until midnight .

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called a meeting at his residence to decide on the next course of action. According to news agency ANI, leaders of other opposition parties are expected to attend the meeting. However, the Rapid Action Force has been deployed outside Rahul's residence ahead of the meeting.

Social activist Anna Hazare has reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid any untoward situation. Speaking to journalists in Maharashtra on Thursday, he said he has written to Modi urging him to ensure that force is not used against the protesting students. "Violence does not solve any problem. Violence will only worsen the situation," Hazare said.