KALYAN: A protest called by the CJP at Phadke Ground in Kalyan on Saturday against the alleged police action on students at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar turned into a celebration after news broke of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. According to police, around 2,000 to 2,500 people, mostly students and youth, participated in the demonstration, which remained largely peaceful. The protest began around noon, with students arriving from different parts of Kalyan-Dombivli and neighbouring areas. Despite the ground being waterlogged and muddy due to recent rains, participants gathered in large numbers, carrying placards, raising slogans against the Centre and demanding Pradhan’s resignation over the alleged TET paper leak controversy and the police action on protesting students in Delhi.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
Several students also sang protest songs and expressed their dissent through cultural performances. The atmosphere at the venue changed dramatically in the afternoon when participants received news of Pradhan’s resignation. Protesters erupted in cheers, raised victory slogans and celebrated what they described as a “victory for the country’s youth.” Shrishank Rudra, one of the organisers associated with the CJP, said, “The moment we learnt about Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, our protest turned into a celebration. This is a victory for every young person who raised their voice, from Jantar Mantar to different parts of the country.” Several opposition parties workers also seen at protest site including Congress corporator Kanchan Kulkarni who participated in protest with her supporters.Notably, Shiv Sena corporator Mahesh Gaikwad, a member of the ruling party was seen wearing a black ribbon and joining opposition supporters in demanding Pradhan’s resignation during the protest. The demonstration continued without any major law and order issues. Organisers also felicitated police personnel by presenting them with flowers for ensuring peaceful conduct of the event. Meanwhile Congress’s Kalyan District President Navin Singh with supporters also celebrated resignation of Pradhan by bursting fire crackers in Kalyan.
