NEW DELHI: Tensions remained high in the national capital on Monday as the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march turned confrontational, with police using tear gas and baton charges after protesters allegedly attempted to breach barricades en route to Parliament. More than 50 Delhi Police personnel were injured in the clashes, with police alleging that protesters pelted stones, while the CJP accused the force of using excessive force against demonstrators.Even as the Centre opened a channel for talks, activist Sonam Wangchuk said he would continue his hunger strike until protesters were allowed to meet parliamentarians or he was permitted to meet them from the hospital. CJP leaders later met Union minister JP Nadda and reiterated three key demands, including the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while maintaining that the agitation at Jantar Mantar would continue until their demands were met. Here are the top developments:
Sonam continues fast, protest continues at Jantar Mantar
Sonam Wangchuk said that he would continue the hunger-strike until the protesters were allowed to meet the Parliamentarians. “I will continue my fast. Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting Youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast untill the youth leaders are allowed to meet the Parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or l am allowed to meet them here at the Hospital. Hopefully, the government will fix the accountability of the Education Minister before then. I am touched and moved by how the youth have held on to peace despite provocation,” he said.CJP said that the protest at Jantar Mantar continues until Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.“The cockroaches have achieved a major victory today! We made the Government bow down and listen to us. We will not stop till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said in a post on X.
CJP meets Nadda
The CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held a meeting with the Union minister JP Nadda, however, no commitments have been made so far, the spokesperson informed.“Ashutosh Ranka and I have been at JP Nadda’s residence since 12 noon. The demands have been conveyed, including immediate resignation/sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan. The Minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. However, no commitments have been made so far. The peaceful protesters will not rest until the demand is met!” Saurav Das said in a post on X.Nadda urged the protesters to end their sit-in and “assist the administration in restoring normalcy.”“This morning, for the first time, a proposal came from the protesters to hold talks with the government, and our discussions have been ongoing since 11:50am. The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere. An initial verbal discussion was held in detail with their delegation, and they submitted a written petition to me around 4pm. I have requested all the protesters to end their sit-in and assist the administration in restoring normalcy,” he said.
Delhi Police personnel injured
Delhi Police personnel were injured during clashes with protesters taking part in the CJP’s Parliament march, with police alleging that stones were pelted at security personnel during the confrontation.“We were standing near barricades, stone was pelted by them (protesters),” ANI quoted cop saying. The CJP, however, accused the police of using excessive force against demonstrators, alleging that protesters, including Wangchuk’s wife and a 12-year-old girl, were assaulted during the crackdown. The exchange of allegations came after tensions escalated as protesters attempted to breach police barricades near Parliament.The Delhi Police rejected these claims saying: “False information is being currently circulated on social media regarding the posts claim that an individual named Geetanjali, a 12-year-old girl was assaulted, had her hair pulled, sustained a head injury, and approximately 40 to 50 other individuals suffered broken heads. This information is false. The claims being circulated in the posts are not true. Please do not spread or amplify false or misleading information.“Meanwhile, SP MP Akhilesh Yadav slammed the Centre over police action against protesters in Delhi, alleging that students and youth were subjected to lathi charges, tear gas and rough treatment by personnel in plainclothes. Claiming the government had “failed” to anticipate the scale of the protests, Yadav said the anger among young people reflected years of frustration and asserted that the opposition would raise the issue in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He also demanded that the government clarify its stand on the alleged Ram Mandir donation controversy.“We witnessed the conduct of the government and the police, the use of lathis and tear gas, and the way police personnel in plainclothes treated the students and youth…The government did not anticipate that students and the youth would turn out in such large numbers. This represents a massive failure, and it is precisely because of this failure that people have gathered here…For years, the government has been playing with the future of students and the youth,” he said.“That very anger is visible now; the call for revolution is rising, and a sense of solidarity is evident. That is why the country’s youth are present here in such vast numbers. We will raise the incident that occurred today in the Lok Sabha tomorrow…The government must clarify its stance regarding the Ram Mandir donation controversy. The theft of offerings, donations, and contributions is shameful; it is a grave sin. Who will answer for this grave sin? The government must step forward to address it,” he added.
CJP’s three demands
CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das said they raised three key demands with Union Minister J.P. Nadda, including Sonam Wangchuk’s release, Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, and ₹1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide.
Amit Shah meets Dharmendra Pradhan
Union home minister Amit Shah met education minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid the CJP’s march demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged examination irregularities. Officials said the meeting took place at Pradhan’s office in the Parliament complex for nearly four hours, though details of the discussion were not disclosed. The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, seeking exam reforms and action over alleged NEET irregularities.
Five metro stations shut, commuters stranded
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed five metro stations on Monday due to security concerns over the CJP’s Parliament march, causing chaos for hundreds of commuters. Crowds gathered at Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk and other stations as gates remained shut. Some protesters assembled inside metro premises and raised slogans, while security personnel used mild force to disperse people near Patel Chowk station.
Seven CJP protesters detained near RBI, protests in Gujarat
At least seven Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters were detained near the Reserve Bank of India, close to Parliament, during the party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in New Delhi, PTI reported.The protests were held in several cities across Gujarat on Monday in support of the CJP’s campaign against alleged irregularities in the education sector and exam paper leaks, as well as in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk.In Ahmedabad, police detained several people who gathered at Law Garden for the demonstration, citing lack of permission for the protest, officials said. Security remained tightened in Delhi as CJP supporters attempted to march towards Parliament.
CJP Protesters reach near RBI, raise slogans
CJP protesters reached near the Reserve Bank of India, close to Parliament, and raised slogans as security forces maintained a tight vigil in the area, PTI reported.
Tear Gas fired near Shastri Bhawan amid protest
Security forces fired tear gas shells near Shastri Bhawan after protesters allegedly tried to breach barricades and march towards Jantar Mantar to join the Cockroach Janta Party’s Parliament march, sources said. Security was tightened across the high-security zone, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. Access to nearby metro stations was restricted, several gates were closed, and commuters were stranded as authorities took precautionary measures.
Security tightened ahead of Monsoon Session
Security was intensified near Parliament premises, with Rapid Action Force personnel deployed to manage protesters and other contingencies. Several police officials were reportedly injured during clashes, while authorities maintained a heavy security presence across central Delhi.Also Read:‘They came very late’: CJP claims govt reached out, but ‘no clarity’ on talks
Dipke ends hunger strike as Centre opens dialogue with CJP
As the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest against the Centre intensified, founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital after a 21-day fast. Meanwhile, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister J P Nadda after the government reached out for talks. Thousands of supporters continued to gather at Jantar Mantar, pressing for examination reforms and action over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Police baton-charge protesters near Parliament Street, several detained
Police baton-charged protesters participating in the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Sansad Chalo’ march near Parliament Street on Monday, with several demonstrators detained, according to news agency PTI.
‘Lathi-charge at Jantar Mantar’: Kharge alleges during Monsoon Session of Parliament
During the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday, Leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised the alleged NEET paper leak issue and claimed that a lathi-charge had taken place at the student protest at Jantar Mantar.Addressing the House, Kharge said, “This is a matter concerning students; I am speaking about the futures of lakhs of children. Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar for this cause. A lathi-charge has taken place there. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away.”
Delhi Police refutes reports of violence
Amid social media reports of tensions at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Police on Monday dismissed claims of violence during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest, saying reports of “sporadic use of violence/detentions” were misleading.
AAP leaders reach at Jantar Mantar
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Atishi, arrived at Jantar Mantar to participate in the Parliament march. Earlier Manish Sisodia had appealed to people across political affiliations to join the proposed march to Parliament, urging citizens to stand in solidarity with the country’s youth.
CJP activists say ready for dialogue with government, await clarity
CJP activists said they are open to holding talks with the government, while maintaining that they are awaiting clarity from the authorities on the proposed dialogue.Speaking to ANI, CJP activist Saurav Das said, “The administration is trying to open talks with the government. They have come very late, but we have opened our hearts and said that we are willing to talk to them. There has been no clarity from their side as of now. The ball is in their court.”
Police use mild force to disperse CJP protesters
Delhi Police used mild force on Monday to disperse CJP protesters attempting to march towards Parliament House from Jantar Mantar. Security personnel intervened as hundreds of demonstrators moved ahead, causing traffic disruptions. Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed to maintain order and manage the situation during the Parliament session.
