Internet Cut, 18 Metro Stations Closed, Yet Protests Continue at Jantar Mantar

Thousands of people continued to gather at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday, despite heightened restrictions. Authorities closed entry and exit gates at 18 metro stations, two more than the previous day, and suspended internet services at Jantar Mantar, Sansad Marg, and parts of central Delhi for the third consecutive day.

Despite these measures, the protest's momentum remained steady. Following a meeting with Union Ministers, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka announced that if the government does not agree to their demand to remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan within two days, the party would call for a nationwide stir similar to the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march.

Among the protesters was Afroza, a 25-year-old from Mehrauli who has never attended school. Dressed in tricolour shades, she distributed water bottles at Sansad Marg. She said, 'My son wanted to join, but I told him I would go on his behalf. I didn't know about this protest until July 18, when a relative called me.' For the past two days, she has completed her household chores by 11 a.m. and then headed to Jantar Mantar. She brought four packs of water bottles to distribute, explaining, 'When I came here yesterday, I saw people buying water bottles. No one at such a place should be charged for water.'

Volunteers were assigned to maintain order amid the large turnout. Several were stationed at entry and exit gates to prevent overcrowding. Arun Singh from Uttar Pradesh has been volunteering at a food counter since July 19.

Protesters continue to occupy a stretch of Sansad Marg from Connaught Place to Tolstoy Marg, while security forces hold the remaining stretch with heavy personnel and riot-control vehicles. CJP volunteers have formed a human chain separating protesters from the police.