Kaka Joins CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar

The ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks drew fresh attention on Friday as Punjabi singer Ravinder Singh, popularly known as "Kaka", joined the demonstration led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in a show of solidarity with students on hunger strike.

Kaka met climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site, and enquired about his health, according to CJP. He also interacted with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other people gathered at the protest venue.

Visit Comes a Day After Video-Blocking Row

Kaka's visit came a day after the protest witnessed controversy over the removal of a social media post related to arrangements for demonstrators. On Thursday, Dipke alleged that a video showing him requesting Delhi Police personnel to allow tents at the protest site had been blocked in India. Sharing a screenshot of the removed post on X, he wrote that the video had been blocked by the government in India.

Questioning the action, Dipke asked what was objectionable about the video, saying he was only pleading with police to allow tents so that hunger-striking students could be protected from rain. He shared an earlier screenshot showing himself requesting a police official for permission to set up temporary shelters, along with another screenshot displaying a message stating the content had been restricted on X due to local regulations. Dipke subsequently reposted the video, noting that he was sharing it again because the government had blocked it.

CJP Spokesperson Reacts to Video Removal

The development drew a response from CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, who said the video of Dipke requesting tarpaulins from Delhi Police had been taken down from social media, adding that if similar promptness had been applied to stopping the alleged examination paper leaks, the protest at Jantar Mantar would not have been necessary in the first place.

Renewed Attention for the Protest

Kaka's visit added a fresh dimension to the demonstration, bringing renewed public attention to the protest even as organisers continued to press for support for students participating in the hunger strike. The CJP has been demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in India's examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with Wangchuk's hunger strike continuing alongside a parallel fast by members of the All India Students' Association at the same site.