Speaking after the Monsoon Session's opening day, BJP MP Hema Malini said protesting in this fashion would achieve nothing and the grievances should be settled through discussion, arguing the Modi government has worked for students. She declined to comment on demands that Dharmendra Pradhan resign. Marchers heading for Parliament met a baton charge, while CJP delegates met Health Minister JP Nadda.
Protesters kept streaming into the Cockroach Janta Party's designated site at Jantar Mantar through the day, settling in for a night vigil ahead of Monday's planned march to Parliament. Organisers pressed on with preparations as the crowd swelled, turning the demonstration into an overnight occupation on the eve of the Monsoon Session's opening day in Delhi.
The government will move a bill in the Rajya Sabha to make insulting Vande Mataram a criminal offence, amending legislation dating to 1971. In parallel, the Lok Sabha is due to take up a separate bill increasing the number of Supreme Court judges, as the Monsoon Session opens with a heavy legislative agenda.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk will end his hunger strike if the issue of education accountability is raised during Parliament's Monsoon Session, his wife Gitanjali conveyed at the Jantar Mantar protest. She relayed his appeal that Monday's march be conducted peacefully and that the protest not be misused.
Ahead of the Monsoon Session, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh urged the DMK and TDP to defend their record on delimitation and keep the 1971 Census as the basis for Lok Sabha seats, favouring a freeze until 2051. He dismissed talk of a uniform 50% seat rise as meaningless under Article 81(2)(a), noting the 131st Amendment Bill fell in April.
Delhi Traffic Police told commuters to avoid Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and other central stretches from Monday as the Monsoon Session opens, suggesting Janpath, Akbar Road and Shanti Path instead. Police separately said no permission was sought or granted for the proposed march to Parliament, with Section 163 prohibitory orders covering New Delhi district except Jantar Mantar.