NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over examination irregularities entered its 24th day on Monday, drawing support from Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi, MLA Kuldeep Kumar and former Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi.“Met @Wangchuk66 at Jantar Mantar as his fast enters the 16th day. Even though his health is deteriorating, his spirit remains strong. He is committed to fighting for the youth of this country. Power to you Sonam and the young cockroaches,” Atishi said in a post on X.Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorated further on Monday, the 16th day of his hunger strike, with doctors reporting a drop in his blood pressure and a cumulative weight loss of 8.2 kg since he began the fast.The update said his blood glucose level was recorded at 67 and his blood pressure at 107/70.Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Pushpendra Saroj and former Kerala health minister K K visited the protest site on Sunday.Addressing the gathering, Shailaja said, “We are all here to express our solidarity with the protest conducted by the CJP. It is on an important issue. We want accountability in examinations. We want a fair entrance examination system in our country.”She alleged that repeated examination paper leaks could not have occurred without the knowledge of the Union Education Ministry and reiterated support for the protesters’ demand seeking the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Pradhan over irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The group has also announced a march to Parliament on July 20.Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest at Jantar Mantar and began an indefinite hunger strike, drawing support from several political leaders and public figures.Opposition parties have also been pressing for Pradhan’s resignation, alleging lapses in the conduct of competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy and issues related to the National Testing Agency (NTA).Meanwhile, a Delhi court recently extended the judicial custody of 13 accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case until July 24.
