India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday morning appeared to go on with its plans for the “Chalo Sansad” march to the parliament in New Delhi despite a denial of permission from the police, risking a standoff. 

The protest movement — which is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a major test paper leak fiasco —  has called on the hundreds of supporters expected to join the march to carry out “a peaceful and disciplined protest”

The march comes on the first day of the Indian Parliament’s monsoon session.

On Sunday evening, the Delhi Police denied the youth-led protest permission to march.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the New Delhi district, barring the gathering of five or more people, except at the designated protest site of Jantar Mantar where protestors have pitched a camp since June 20. 

“Delhi Police hereby categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession,” a public advisory said.

“As Parliament session is commencing from 20 July, strict security arrangements are in place to ensure public safety, security of protectees, and the protection of vital government installations,” the police said, adding that any violations of its order would be liable for legal action. 

On Monday, CJP’s founder Abhijeet Dipke hailed the Indian constitution in a social media post. 

Late on Sunday evening, Dipke shared a video message on Instagram saying that the success of the march lies in it being peaceful and called on protesters to carry roses, pictures of Mahatma Gandhi — the symbol of India’s non-violent freedom movement — or the Indian constitution book.