If successful, setting up such universities across the country might be next on the agenda, he said. “Once the government gives us these funds, we will approach it for more,” he said.

Every evening, Suman, secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Congress Dal (Ambedkar), marks down in a notebook the number of days he has been on dharna at Jantar Mantar. On Tuesday, the dharna, which was started in March last year, completed 300 days.

Suman said he is asking the government to provide his party with the funds, with which he plans to generate employment for at least 1,500 people in every district. Party workers said the government is considering their proposal and they are hopeful.

At least three people are living in the shanty at Jantar Mantar. The party has around 5,000 members. “We have a purpose and that’s what matters. The youth are unemployed, they are homeless. We want to give them both — homes and jobs,” he said.

Its comfortable living at Jantar Mantar. Friends, party workers and relatives contribute money towards the dharna. There’s chai at all hours and basic amenities, including toilets and electricity and water, are provided by the NDMC. Visitors come pouring in at all hours and Suman asks them to enter their names in a record book. As far as sleeping on the hard floor is concerned, it’s not much of a discomfort for Suman, who calls himself a follower of Mahatma Gandhi. “It’s not so bad,” he said. After all, Suman has political ambitions and dharnas are important to gain recognition, he said.