Abhijeet Dipke Stands Firm On Dharmendra Pradhan's Resignation, Vows Long Protest | Exclusive

The protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan continued on Monday, with organisers reiterating that the agitation will not end until their demands are met.

In an exclusive conversation with Oneindia, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke spoke about the future of the protest, the support it is receiving, and why he chose to leave his life abroad and join the movement on the ground.

'This Is An Indefinite Protest'

Asked about how long the protest would continue, Dipke made it clear that the organisers are prepared for a long struggle.

"Ye bilkul ek indefinite protest hai. Jab tak Dharmendra Pradhan resign nahi karte, hum protest mein baithe rahenge."
(Translation: "This is completely an indefinite protest. We will continue to sit here until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.")

His remarks come as protesters continue to gather at Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability and changes in the education sector.

More Supporters Expected To Join

When asked whether the day's programme would follow the same format as the previous day, Dipke said the schedule would largely remain unchanged.

"Kal jaisi hi rahegi. Mujhe bola gaya hai ki kuch sangeetkar aa rahe hain aur mujhe bataya gaya hai ki kuch kisan neta bhi humara samarthan dene ke liye aayenge."
(Translation: "The programme will be similar to yesterday. I have been told that some musicians are coming, and some farmer leaders will also arrive to support us.")

According to Dipke, support for the protest is growing and more groups are expected to participate in the coming days.

'My Country Is My Home'

Oneindia asked Dipke a question that several viewers wanted answered: Why leave a comfortable life in the United States and return to India to lead a protest movement?
Responding emotionally, Dipke said:

"Sir, mera desh hi mera ghar hai. Aur agar mujhe apne desh mein hi aane mein dar lagega, toh kya hi baat reh jayegi iss desh ki?"

(Translation: "My country is my home. If I feel afraid to come to my own country, then what would that say about the condition of the nation?")

His statement was met with applause from supporters present at the protest venue.

'The Protest Will Remain Completely Peaceful'

When asked about the model of the protest and whether it would remain peaceful despite being a long-term movement, Dipke referred to some of India's most significant public movements.

"Sir, ye poori tarah se shantipurn rahega kyunki iss desh mein jitne bhi protest hain, unhe lamba sangharsh karna pada hai. Mahatma Gandhi ko bhi ye karna pada tha. Iss desh ke kisan bhi ek saal tak sadkon par baithe hue the. Toh agar sangharsh karne ki baat hai, toh hum bhi kam nahi hain."

(Translation: "This protest will remain completely peaceful because every major movement in this country has required a long struggle. Mahatma Gandhi had to do it. Farmers also sat on the roads for a year. If it is about struggle, we are ready for it too.")
Dipke stressed that the organisers remain committed to peaceful and democratic methods of protest.

Volunteer Calls For Unity Beyond Religion

At Jantar Mantar, Dipke publicly thanked Muhammad Junaid, a volunteer who has been serving free food and drinking water to protesters and supporters.
Speaking to Oneindia, Junaid said the movement is about protecting the future of students and strengthening India's education system.

"Hum sab Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isai bhai-bhai hain aur hum sab ki demand hai ki Dharmendra Pradhan istifa dein. Kisi bhi desh ki reed hoti hai education system aur ussi education system ko aap tod denge toh iss desh ke education system ka kya hoga?"
(Translation: "Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are all brothers, and we all have one demand - Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. Education is the backbone of any country, and if that system is weakened, what will happen to the nation's future?")

He further added:

"Yahan sab milkar ek hi baat utha rahe hain. Yahan na koi jaat hai na koi dharm hai. Yahan bas yeh hai ki chhatra ka bhavishya safe hona chahiye, India ka education system accha hona chahiye."

(Translation: "Everyone here is raising the same issue. There is no caste and no religion here. The only concern is that students should have a secure future and India's education system should improve.")

Junaid also appealed to people across the country to join the movement.

"Jo bhi hume dekh rahe hain, woh sab yahan aaiye. Yeh koi ek ki ladai nahi hai, hum sab ki ladai hai."
(Translation: "Whoever is watching us should come here. This is not one person's fight; it is a fight for all of us.")

Protest Continues At Jantar Mantar

With more supporters, musicians and farmer leaders expected to arrive, the protest appears set to continue in the coming days. Organisers remain firm on their demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and insist that the movement will remain peaceful while pressing for what they describe as reforms in the education sector.