CJP calls for nationwide silent candle march on July 26 over alleged police brutality

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday called for a nationwide silent candle march on July 26, urging supporters to assemble outside district collector offices across the country to protest what it described as police brutality against students and demonstrators.

The call comes as Centre and CJP are scheduled to hold another round of talks later on Saturday over the outfit's demands arising from the ongoing NEET-UG protest movement.

Also read: CJP Protest Live: Govt, 'cockroaches' gear up for fresh talks on Pradhan's resignation amid call for nationwide candle march


While the government has indicated an "in-principle" acceptance of compensation for families of students allegedly driven to suicide and withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters, CJP's demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains unresolved.



In a poster shared on X, the outfit issued a "Nationwide Call for Candle March" under the slogan, "Every District. One Day. One Demand." It urged people to "Stand in solidarity with victims of police brutality across India."

Marches planned across districts

According to the poster, the candle march is scheduled to begin at 6 pm on Sunday outside district collector offices nationwide. Participants have been asked to "Gather & Organise," "Read Out the Demands," and "Light Your Candles."

The party also appealed to student groups and civil society organisations to coordinate the demonstrations, saying, "Student unions and other organisations should collaborate and work together for permission and logistics."

It added that a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP), campaign material and a memorandum template have been made available on its website for organisers across the country.

The poster further called on organisers to publicly read out the demands raised by students during the gathering. "In front of the full gathering, read out the students' demands aloud. Show solidarity to those who faced police brutality," it said.

Also read: 130 police personnel, 65 students injured; 15 FIRs registered in connection with CJP's July 20 protest, say Delhi police sources

Appealing for a peaceful demonstration, the party added, "One candle per person. For every student the system failed. March together in silence."

The candle march announcement comes days after CJP's "Sansad Chalo" protest on July 20, during which clashes broke out between protesters and Delhi Police, resulting in injuries and multiple FIRs.

Since then, demonstrators have continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, demanding Pradhan's resignation, reforms to the examination system, compensation for families of students allegedly affected by the NEET controversy and withdrawal of police cases against protesters.