What began as a massive protest demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities ended in violence on Monday as clashes erupted between supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and security personnel during the outfit’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in New Delhi. The confrontation left more than 50 police and paramilitary personnel injured, dozens of protesters hurt and over 70 people detained.
The march, organised on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, aimed to pressure the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Despite persistent rain, thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar before attempting to march towards Parliament.
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Delhi Police had erected multiple layers of barricades around central Delhi to prevent demonstrators from reaching Parliament House. However, protesters attempted to bypass security arrangements by taking alternative routes through nearby lanes, with several groups walking long distances before converging near restricted zones.
As crowds breached multiple barricades, security personnel responded with tear gas shells and lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators. The clashes spread across key locations, including Constitution Club, Patel Chowk, Shastri Bhawan, Parliament Street and areas near the Reserve Bank of India building.
According to police sources, more than 50 personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary forces sustained injuries during the violence, including over five IPS officers. Two police buses were damaged after they were allegedly targeted during stone-pelting, while several shops on Janpath reportedly suffered vandalism.
Police detained more than 70 people during the operation, with officials claiming that several of those taken into custody were not students. Authorities have since begun registering multiple FIRs based on incidents reported from different parts of the city.
Investigators are analysing CCTV footage, mobile phone videos and other digital evidence to identify those allegedly involved in stone-pelting, attacks on police personnel and damage to public property. The probe is also examining whether the violence was pre-planned or triggered by misinformation circulating on social media.
Several social media accounts are under scrutiny for allegedly spreading false claims about the protest. Police said viral posts claiming seven protesters had died, 391 people were injured and 250 arrested were inaccurate and are being investigated as possible misinformation. Officials are also looking into whether any political organisations or foreign-based social media accounts played a role in amplifying rumours or inciting unrest.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, announced that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike. In a handwritten statement, Wangchuk said the police action against what he described as peacefully protesting youth had strengthened his resolve. He declared that his fast would continue until student leaders are allowed to meet Members of Parliament or lawmakers visit him at the hospital, adding that the treatment of protesters had deeply disturbed him.
