ACTIVIST Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike,saying the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s(CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march has prompted him to extend the fast until youth leaders areallowed to meet parliament arians or heis permitted to do so from the hospital. In ahandwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital,Wangchuksaid,“Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth arebeing dealtwith,Ihavedecided tocontinuemy fastuntil theyouthleaders areallowed to meet the parliament arians at the Sansad Bhawan orI am allowed to meet them here at the hospital.” “Hopefully,the Government will fix accountability for the Education Minister before that,” he added. Wangchuk said he is “touched and moved” by the manner in which the protesters have maintained peace despite “provocation”. “I appeal to the Governmentand thepolice force to resolvethe issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow. I am sure the young protesters will maintain peace tomorro was they did today,” he said. The Delhi Police prevented the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament, barricading roads around Jantar Mantar and detaining several protesters as thousands gathered despite heavy rain. Earlier in the day,Wangchuk had said he would end his fast only if the Government accepts accountability for alleged failures in the educationsystem or if political leaders assure him that the issue would be raised during the Monsoon session of Parliament.

 

However, following the developments during the march, he announced that he would continue the fast. Wangchuk has been at the Safdarjung Hospital since July 18 after he was forcibly shifted there by the Delhi Police following 21 days of fasting. The supporters of the activist have alleged that he is being kept under “illegal detention”, acharge rejected by authorities. CJP’S PROTESTSTAGE DISMANTLED AFTER PARLT MARCH;‘COCKROACHES’ TO STAY PUT: THE Cockroach Janata Party’s(CJP) protest site was dismantled by the police on Monday,hours after protesters’ march to Parliament was thwarted with tear gas and baton charges. Protesters, however, regrouped at Jantar Mantar after the march. One of their leaders said they will stay put. ThestagewhereactivistSonam Wangchuk observedhis hunger strike stood dismantled, with trampolines,carpets,mattresses and other materials removed. Aprotester said one of the group’s key demands had been met after aCJP delegation held talks with Union Minister JP Nadda.He , however, saidt he agitation will continue till Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.