New Delhi: Back in 2012, Chhatwarti was barely 14, as she sat in her living room, watching on the television how the entire national capital came together and marched towards the heart of Delhi seeking justice for gangrape victim Nirbhaya.
Today, at 28, when she began reading about the suicide cases over the NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) and RE-NEET exam, the exam leak news investigation on her social media account, the Jharkhand woman decided to do something about it.
Now, she is preparing to march alongside the members and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) for their rally, ‘Sansad Chalo’, on Monday.
A day after activist Sonam Wangchuk was whisked away from the Jantar Mantar protest site, all eyes are now on the CJP’s next step. Sources in the Delhi Police have told ThePrint that no application seeking permission has been submitted yet.
Chalo Sansad!!
For a Better Tomorrow, For a Better Education System & Most Importantly for Accountability!
Time: 9 AM
Starting Point: Jantar Mantar, New Delhi pic.twitter.com/FCaGbTaOSl
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 19, 2026
Students, workers, teachers, employed professionals, among others have camped at the Jantar Mantar protest site for over three weeks now, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and against the removal of Wangchuk.
On Saturday morning, the police personnel dispersed the protesters and took Wangchuk away amid allegations of a forceful evacuation. Some protesters clashed with personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Delhi Police even as repeated announcements were made asking them to vacate the site.
In a statement, the Delhi Police said it acted in accordance with the directions of the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts due to Wangchuk’s deteriorating health.
On Sunday evening, the police came out with a statement saying that no permission was sought or granted for any protest march.
PUBLIC ADVISORY
In view of reports of a proposed march to Parliament by CJP on 20.07.2026 (Monday), Delhi Police hereby categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession.
Prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS…
— DCP New Delhi (@DCPNewDelhi) July 19, 2026
‘March so we can be heard’
For the protesters, the march to Parliament means they are not being heard at Jantar Mantar. Crowds continue to swell up, slogans continue to be raised. From day till the night, the protesters hold their ground.
Chhatwarti joined the CJP protest after reading about it on social media. “I am an economics graduate, and I am unemployed. This is the state of education in India. It is corrupt. We have to reach to the bottom of this problem, and protests are the only way to do it.”
“We are doing a peaceful protest. We are not in favour of violence. We are shifting between Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh,” she says.
In between the crowd, wherein the people are using paper sheets to fan themselves, and trying to wait for their turn to charge their mobile phones, Sudatta Gajbhiye, 26, from Nagpur, Maharashtra, who works in management sector, is also present at the CJP protest.
He felt, to be heard, one has to reach the national capital.
“I am coming to Delhi for the first time in my life. When people from smaller towns scream, their voices often get lost in the headlines. We will march towards Parliament to ensure the leaders who sit barely a few metres away, know.”
Even for Sandeep Patel, who claims to be a former BJP local worker from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, the outrage at the Jantar Mantar has “to reach the corridors of Parliament.”
“The entire system is corrupt. Why is somebody paying a Rs 500 fee, and somebody paying Rs 5 lakh fee for school education? Why is there so much disparity? Why are our children dying by suicide?”
“These answers can only be demanded when leaders are questioned. And to be able to do that, one has to march where the laws are made, and where the country’s decisions are taken. We have to fight for our children on the streets of Delhi. It will be uncomfortable but we will do it,” the 27-year-old says.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read:CJP protest: Safdarjung says Wangchuk stable, wife alleges ‘illegal detention’