CJP seeks police nod for rally, extends support to SFI protest today

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Jul 24, 2026 02:36 AM IST

The Kolkata wing of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has sought police permission to hold a rally in response to the outfit’s call for a nationwide protest on Friday. Meanwhile, the Students Federation of India (SFI) has also planned a protest march demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak issue and police action on protesters in Delhi during the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ rally.

CJP member Dedipya Ganguly said the outfit has sent two emails to the Kolkata Police and is yet to get a response.

“We wrote twice to Kolkata Police for the permission and then also got a call from the Special Branch on this. However, after an initial enquiry about our planned march, there was no further communication from police. We have not been granted any permission yet. We will be supporting the student rally instead,” she told The Indian Express.

In an official statement, CJP, Kolkata said, “We have asked for permission for a peace rally from Sealdah to Dharmatalla (Esplanade) from Kolkata police. They haven’t given us permission. But we keep our support for the cockroaches who are coming out of Sealdah.”

Meanwhile, Debanjan Dey, SFI state president said, “We have informed Kolkata Police about our rally. They have not gotten back to us. I heard that the CJP extended support to our rally. Come what may, we will hold the rally.”

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police has imposed prohibitory orders in BBD Bag and College Street areas under Section 163 of BNS for two months.

Responding to the movement, BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said, “Examination paper leaks are undoubtedly a very serious matter and no one involved in such offences should be spared. But if any attempt is made to create violence, anarchy or instability in West Bengal in the name of protests similar to those in Delhi, the state administration will take strict action in accordance with the law.”

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas.

Experience & Authority

Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata.

Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects.

Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik’s current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010.

Major Award: Ravik’s authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting.

Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University.

Ravik Bhattacharya’s extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. … Read More

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats.
Experience & Authority

Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal.

Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness.

Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics.

Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism.

Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage.

Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement.

Education

Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills.

Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College.

Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting.

Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region.

Sweety Kumari’s combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. … Read More