Rahul Gandhi with other Opposition MPs at Gandhi Smriti. (Express Photo)
Opposition MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance left Rahul Gandhi’s residence for Mahatma Gandhi memorial in Delhi’s Tees January Marg on Thursday, following a strategy meeting on the crackdown on protesters.
The vigil came as the Cockroach Janta Party continued to hold out on talks with the Centre, which said it had reached out four times without a response. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah, said the “government’s doors are open always for talks with students” and that protesters were welcome to meet at J P Nadda’s residence or office — the same terms CJP had rejected a day earlier, when spokesperson Saurav Das said the party would only meet at “a neutral place near Jantar Mantar.”
Story continues below this ad
The CJP also called for nationwide protests on Friday, urging people to “stand in solidarity with victims of police brutality across India.” In a post on X, the CJP said, “In front of the full gathering, read out the students’ demands aloud. Student unions and other organisations should collaborate and work together for permission and logistics.”
Earlier in the day, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he would be away from the Jantar Mantar protest site “for a few hours” due to fever and body pain, but would return by evening.
PM Modi promises swift action on paper leaks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X that fast-track courts would be set up to ensure “swift and stringent punishment” for those involved in paper leaks, warning that “those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.” The CJP reiterated its call for Pradhan’s resignation in response, with Dipke taking a jibe at the minister over Modi’s post.
Congress responds to PM Modi’s pledge
Rahul Gandhi attacked Modi, saying he was the one “who has harmed the future of our youth the most,” and repeated three demands: Pradhan’s resignation, an apology to students, and action against those who assaulted protesters.
Crowds swell, protests on
The CJP’s sit-in at Jantar Mantar continued into Thursday, with protesters holding firm on Pradhan’s resignation. Parliament remained gridlocked over the issue, with the government signalling openness to a discussion while the Opposition stayed firm on its demand.
Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike on
Wangchuk remains on hunger strike at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. After ministers Nadda and Singh met him on Tuesday, Wangchuk set out conditions to end his strike and the CJP protest on Wednesday, including compensation for families of students who died by suicide, a substantive Parliament discussion, and consideration of Pradhan’s resignation.
Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
