New Delhi: Around 1.30 pm, an hour before Dharmendra Pradhan put out his post on X saying he had put his resignation before the Prime Minister, stone throwing started at Jantar Mantar.The flashpoint was the four-road intersection outside the NDMC building, which by then had become a heavily fortified zone. There were barricades on all four sides of the intersection point. One group of protesters, who were not at the main Jantar Mantar agitation spot targeted the police on the other side of the intersection with stones. They wanted to remove the barricades and surged towards it.Thousands of protesters were packed behind the barricades, and opposite them stood several companies of Delhi Police and CRPF personnel with batons and shields, backed by multiple layers of iron barricades and a tear gas dispensing vehicle.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
Slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, “Jai Bhim” and “Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do” rang out from the protesters’ side.As the stones flew towards the police, they started a lathicharge and fired tear gas shells after that.On another approach road to the protest site, CJP representatives stood atop a police vehicle, repeatedly appealing to protesters to remain calm, identify those indulging in unlawful activities and hand them over to the police.Behind the barricades, thousands waited anxiously for the outcome of the talks between CJP and central govt. Some protesters clutched sticks and branches of trees. Asked why he was carrying a stick, a protester told TOI: “Hum apni safety ke liye lekar khade hain (I have a stick for my own safety).”Every few minutes, a section of the crowd surged towards the barricades, only to be pushed back by police.As tear gas shells were fired, smoke engulfed the intersection. Some protesters scattered. Others clashed with security personnel.CJP volunteers, many wearing fluorescent jackets, constantly moved between the barricades, their hands folded. They urged the protesters to remain calm. “Bhai, please… hum jo maangne aaye hain, woh mil jayega. Ye sab mat karo (Please brother, whatever we have demanded will be granted. Don’t be violent),” one volunteer pleaded.The confrontation lasted about 30 minutes before CJP volunteers, joined by Sikh jathedars in traditional attire with kirpans strapped to the waist, fanned out through the crowd urging people to be calm.The protesters slowly retreated behind the barricades and the tension eased.At that same intersection an hour later, the protesters erupted with joy as news of Pradhan’s announcement reached them.
