Fresh wave of protesters swells Jantar Mantar after 'Chalo Sansad' march

New Delhi: The chants grew louder and the crowd thicker at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday as fresh groups of protesters from across the country poured into the protest site, many after overnight journeys by bus and train.

Two days after the 'Chalo Sansad' march, the sit-in continued to draw new participants, many walking into the protest site with backpacks and rolled-up banners after travelling through the night. Volunteers directed them towards seating areas and distributed drinking water and food packets as more groups joined the gathering.

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Children in school uniforms stood shoulder to shoulder with college students, office-goers and elderly protesters. Some sat on the road listening to speeches from the stage, while others gathered near the police barricades, raising slogans and holding placards above their heads.

As the crowd grew, several protesters climbed onto nearby trees for a better view of the stage and the gathering below, waving flags from the branches as slogans echoed across the site.

The atmosphere remained energetic through the afternoon. Every few minutes, chants demanding accountability and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan broke out from different parts of the gathering.

Volunteers carrying first-aid kits and water bottles moved through the crowd, while new groups of protesters continued to enter the protest site with flags draped over their shoulders and banners tucked under their arms.

"We have been receiving people since early morning, and they are still coming," said Gurpreet Singh, a volunteer helping manage one of the entry points.

"Many told us they travelled overnight by bus from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh after watching Monday's march. Every hour, new groups are walking in with their bags and joining the protest," he said.

Among them was 20-year-old Aditi Sharma, who travelled from Jaipur with four friends. "We boarded a bus last night and reached Delhi this morning," she said.

"After watching the 'Chalo Sansad' march, we felt we should be here instead of just following everything on our phones. There are people here from so many states, and everyone has come for the same reason," she added.

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Seventy-year-old Baldev arrived from Punjab with the support of a walking stick. "My family told me not to travel because of my age, but I still came. When I reached here, I saw children, students, women and elderly people all sitting together. That is when I realised how important this protest has become," he said.

A 16-year-old student, from Delhi came to the protest after attending school, wearing her school uniform.

"I packed a small bag and came straight after school, I wanted to be here because I believe our voices should be heard. It feels different when you are standing here with everyone instead of watching it from home," she said.

By evening, there was little to no empty space around and outside the main protest area as fresh arrivals continued to join those already gathered.