Cockroach Janta Party seeks police permission for Kolkata rally as nationwide protest campaign gathers pace

According to Kolkata Police sources, an email requesting permission for the proposed rally has been received and is under consideration.

Email sent to Kolkata Police

Police sources said an individual identified as Dedipya Gangopadhyay, who introduced himself as a member of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), emailed the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) on July 19 and July 21, seeking permission to organise the march.

According to the email, the CJP plans to hold a procession from College Square to Rani Rashmoni Road at 4 pm on Friday.

The organisers informed the police that around 1,500 participants are expected to join the "peaceful" demonstration.

Kolkata Police confirmed receiving the request.

CJP sends emails to Kolkata Police, seeking permission for a "peaceful" protest march in the city. Photo: Sources

Organisers await police decision

Speaking to the media, Dedipya Gangopadhyay said the organisers had not yet received permission from Kolkata Police.

When asked whether the march would go ahead if permission was denied, he said, "We have not yet taken any decision on that."

Police sources, however, said adequate security arrangements would be made in anticipation of the proposed rally to ensure that law and order is maintained, irrespective of the final decision on permission.

The CJP claimed that students and young people across Kolkata have been invited to participate in the march.

At the same time, Gangopadhyay appealed to individuals whose names have allegedly been linked to education-related or other corruption cases to stay away from the demonstration.

Protests reported in other cities

In recent days, demonstrations supporting the CJP movement have also been reported in cities including Mumbai and Chennai.

Gatherings took place at Shivaji Park, Chaityabhoomi, Chembur and outside Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai.

Mumbai Police, however, stated that no prior permission had been granted for those assemblies.

CJP supporters recently held a solidarity protest rally in Mumbai. Photo: Instagram/@cockroachjantaparty

A similar gathering was also reported in Chennai's T Nagar area, where students from various colleges and universities reportedly participated.

The movement follows Delhi protest over alleged NEET paper leak

The CJP's nationwide mobilisation follows protests over the alleged NEET examination paper leak.

The organisation's "Chalo Parliament" march in Delhi on Monday witnessed clashes, with protesters alleging police excesses during what they described as a peaceful demonstration.

On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders staged a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg over the alleged police action against students and youth.

Reports from the protest showed Rahul Gandhi being detained by police. Visuals also appeared to show him suffering a nose injury while being escorted into a police vehicle.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition remained firm on three demands: the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, action against those responsible for the alleged assault on students in Delhi, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Minister JP Nadda, however, maintained that while the government was prepared to hold a discussion in Parliament, it would not accept attempts to "politicise" the issue.

Parliament disrupted as SC declines urgent hearing

The controversy surrounding the alleged police action at the CJP's Jantar Mantar protest and Parliament march continued to disrupt proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for a third consecutive day during the Monsoon Session.

CJP's protests continue in Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Photo: Instagram/@cockroachjantaparty

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition seeking intervention over the alleged police excesses during the CJP protest.

According to reports, the petitioner attempted to present video footage of the incident before the Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

The Bench refused the request, with the Chief Justice stating, "Do not waste our time."

Meanwhile, climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk indicated on Wednesday that he was prepared to end his indefinite fast, provided the Centre assured that no punitive action would be taken against students who participated in the protests.