Protesters Regroup at Jantar Mantar Past Midnight Despite Dispersal Bids

Protesters remained gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar well past midnight on Monday, despite repeated attempts by authorities to disperse the crowd and heavy rainfall earlier in the evening. Demonstrators continued raising slogans against the Central government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands were addressed. A large deployment of police personnel remained at the protest site to maintain law and order.

According to protesters, electricity at the venue was unavailable during the night, with some alleging that the power supply had been deliberately disconnected. The claim has not been independently verified, and authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the alleged power outage. In the absence of lighting, demonstrators used the flashlights on their mobile phones to move around the protest area while carrying water bottles, biscuits and other essential supplies.

Despite the difficult conditions, protesters said they were determined to continue the demonstration. Many remained seated near the stage, while volunteers distributed available food and drinking water among participants. The atmosphere remained charged but peaceful through the night, with demonstrators continuing to chant slogans and express support for the ongoing movement.

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Among those present was 21-year-old Ayush Kashyap from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, who said he travelled to Delhi after hearing reports of a police lathi-charge on protesters. Kashyap said he had informed his parents, who had previously participated in the farmers' protests, that he intended to remain at the protest site until the Union Education Minister resigned. His remarks reflected the resolve expressed by several demonstrators gathered at Jantar Mantar.

The protest is part of the broader agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has drawn participants from multiple states demanding action on issues raised by the organisation. Security has remained tight around Jantar Mantar, with Delhi Police maintaining a significant presence to regulate the gathering and prevent any escalation of the situation as the demonstration continued into the night.

The standoff between protesters and authorities has intensified in recent days, with demonstrators alleging restrictions on access to essential supplies and the use of force during attempts to disperse the crowd. While officials have yet to respond publicly to all of the allegations, the protest remains ongoing, with participants indicating they are prepared to continue their sit-in until their demands receive a response from the government.

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