The Cockroach Janta Party alleged that sanitation and water facilities at Jantar Mantar were cut after the activist began his fast
June 28, 2026: Activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, supporting students protesting alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been staging a sit-in since June 20, claimed that Delhi Police cut off water and sanitation facilities at the protest site shortly after Wangchuk announced his fast. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that despite repeated requests highlighting Wangchuk’s age and health concerns, authorities failed to restore basic amenities. The police have not publicly responded to the allegations.
According to the CJP, the protest seeks the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues including the NEET paper leak controversy and broader concerns about transparency in the examination system. Wangchuk had earlier stated that he would begin an indefinite fast if the government failed to address either education reforms or demands related to greater autonomy and environmental safeguards for Ladakh. Before launching the fast, Wangchuk and Dipke visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, where supporters observed a two-minute silence.
The party also alleged that several farmer leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab were placed under house arrest to prevent them from joining the demonstration, although the claim could not be independently verified. Linking the protest to the recent Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak, Dipke said repeated examination controversies reflected systemic failures in the country’s education system. The CJP has also launched a “Pradhan Go Back” campaign, urging students, parents, teachers, and social organisations to support its demand for greater accountability in education.