Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Jattvibeday began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has been holding a protest since June 20, seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations.Hundreds of protesters, mostly youth and students, gathered at Jantar Mantar as Wangchuk began his fast. Several farmer and khap leaders were also present at the protest site. The protest began with a two-minute silence. Before starting the hunger strike, Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.Dipke said he would not join the hunger strike because of migraine-related health concerns. Instead, members of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) have announced that they will sit on an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Wangchuk.Wangchuk said, “I have been forced to sit here, I am not doing this happily. I am sitting on a fast in support of both issues. Many people ask me, you were doing a movement in Ladakh, why are you with CJP now. Education, which is the issue here, has been close to my heart for the last 40 years, since I was a student.”“When there is no accountability, we are forced to take the only way possible in a democracy—peaceful protest, and we will do that,” added Wangchuk.Dipke has in the past appealed to farmers, students and organisations to join the protest and support the call for accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including medical entrance test NEET.On Jattvibeday morning, he said on X that several farmers’ leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab were being placed under house arrest to prevent them from reaching Jantar Mantar.Ashutosh Ranka, official spokesperson of CJP, told The Tribune, “Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni is expected to join the agitation tomorrow. He came here earlier to show us the way and has promised his support for the cause we are demanding.”The CJP had started its protest at Jantar Mantar on June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the course of the protest, Dipke had alleged that the issue was not limited to a single examination but reflected wider concerns over transparency and trust in the education system.Delhi police detain protester for carrying PM Modi’s mask; release him later, retain maskJune 28, 2026 4:50 pmA protester identified as Mannu, was detained by Delhi Police for allegedly carrying a mask bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s face. He has since been released, however, the mask has not been returned to him.Sarv Khaap warns of larger farmer mobilisation from MondayJune 28, 2026 3:35 pmSarv Khaap coordinator Om Prakash Dhankhar warns of a major agitation by farmer leaders from Monday, saying he is in constant touch with farmer leaders, including Rakesh Tikait.Dipke says focus remains on securing Pradhan’s resignationJune 28, 2026 3:34 pm“It has been so many days since we started protesting for our demands. More than 20 students have committed suicide, but the government remains numb and has done nothing so far. Instead, they chose to label us as terrorists,” he alleged. On the future course of the agitation, Dipke said the immediate focus remained on securing the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. “First let Pradhan’s resignation come in, then we will present our next set of demands,” he said.‘This is my Swadesh moment’: Dipke urges youth to join movementJune 28, 2026 3:34 pmSpeaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the protest at Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke described the agitation as his “Swadesh moment” and called upon the youth of the country to actively participate in the movement. “This is my Swadesh moment indeed,” Dipke said. “The only message I want to give to the youth of this country is that it is time to come out and join us,” he said.’Compelled by govt’: Sonam Wangchuk begins indefinite hunger strikeJune 28, 2026 3:23 pm“I have been compelled by the government to undertake this hunger strike as none of our demands have been fulfilled. I believe it is better to sacrifice myself for a good cause, and therefore I have decided to continue this hunger strike for an indefinite period,” says Wangchuk.Khap leader Khadyan targets govt, questions police presence at Jantar MantarJune 28, 2026 1:52 pmKhap leader Atar Singh Khadyan, addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar, asked the crowd: “Has youth ever stopped? Can you stop without winning this battle?” He said, “This government bowed down after taking lives of 750 farmers, so it is not just about farmers.” Targeting the government, he added, “This government is worse than the dead. Why is the police here with full force, to repeat the same thing? A girl’s father here was injured; isn’t this peak harassment by police?”Farm leaders, Khap Panchayat members join Jantar Mantar protestJune 28, 2026 1:47 pmKhap Panchayat members and farm leaders were present at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. “We are not just giving this turban to Dipke, but this is a step to pass on the baton to the younger generation,” said Om Prakash Dhankhar, convener of Sarv Khaap.Wangchuk, Dipke visit RajghatJune 28, 2026 1:05 pmSonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke visit Rajghat ahead of the activist’s indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar. They were accompanied by other members of the organisation, including spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Vijeta Dahiya.Wangchuk expected to reach site at 11 amJune 28, 2026 11:01 amSonam Wangchuk is expected to reach the protest site around 11 am and join the agitation, which has been staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20.Cockroach Janta Party steps up anti-Pradhan campaignJune 28, 2026 10:54 amThe Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which started as a digital satirical outfit and has been holding a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20, has been pressing for Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper leak controversy. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday said the government was not concerned about the future of the youth and appealed to students to raise their voice against the issue. As part of the campaign demanding Pradhan’s resignation, educationist and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk will join the protest at Jantar Mantar from Jattvibeday and begin an indefinite fast.