Bhubaneswar, Sept 22 (INB) The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has expressed solidarity with students and protesters in Odisha who have been demonstrating for 33 days over alleged irregularities in textbook printing and demanding accountability. According to an X post of CJP co-convenor Saurav Das on Monday, activist Akshaya Kumar, 61, has been on hunger strike for 16 days as part of the protest, which centres on alleged irregularities involving Rs 380 crore in textbook printing. The protesters are demanding accountability, including the resignation of Odisha Education Minister Nityananda Gonde, the CJP said in a statement. The protesters are scheduled to take out a peaceful march to the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, it said. The CJP said it supports the democratic right of citizens to peacefully protest and seek accountability from those holding public office. The party also called for dialogue between the state government and the protesters, saying that authorities should engage with them, hear their concerns and hold meaningful discussions on the issues raised. The CJP said it would continue to support the protesters in their demand for accountability.
