West Bengal, 23 July (H.S.): The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is planning to hold a protest march in Kolkata following its recent demonstrations at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The organisation has sought permission from Kolkata Police to organise a rally on Friday.

According to police sources, Dedipya Gangopadhyay, identifying himself as a CJP member, sent emails on July 19 and July 21 to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) and the Joint Commissioner (Crime), seeking permission to hold a march from College Square to Rani Rashmoni Road at 4 p.m. on Friday. The application mentions an expected participation of around 1,500 people.

Gangopadhyay said the organisation has not yet received police permission and that its next course of action will depend on the authorities' decision. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police said it is making necessary security arrangements to maintain law and order in case the rally is held.

The organisation has appealed to students and youth across Kolkata to join the march while urging individuals whose names have surfaced in education recruitment scams and other corruption cases to stay away from the protest.

The proposed rally comes in the wake of nationwide demonstrations over the alleged NEET question paper leak and police action against protesters during the CJP-led march to Parliament in New Delhi. The issue has triggered repeated disruptions in Parliament, with several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav, protesting against the alleged police crackdown on students.

The Supreme Court, however, declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition alleging police excesses during the Parliament march. Separately, education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk has indicated that he may end his hunger strike if the Centre assures that no punitive action will be taken against protesting students.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey