Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar as CJP protest turns violent; teargas, lathicharge used

New Delhi: Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) converged at Jantar Mantar on Monday for the party's "Chalo Sansad" march, triggering clashes with police after protesters attempted to march towards Parliament despite being denied permission.

Security forces fired tear gas shells and resorted to a lathicharge to disperse the crowd as demonstrators allegedly tried to breach barricades leading to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Police sources said around 50 personnel sustained minor injuries during the confrontation, while several protesters were also injured.

Mobile internet services were suspended in parts of Central Delhi as authorities sought to contain the situation.

Despite heavy police deployment, thousands continued to pour into the Jantar Mantar protest site throughout the day. Protesters occupied sections of Tolstoy Marg, while crowds entered and exited through the narrow Janpath access point amid heavy traffic restrictions. Sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security personnel were reported as police attempted to prevent the march from advancing.

Addressing the gathering, CJP leaders repeatedly appealed for restraint. Activist Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of Sonam Wangchuk, praised the protesters from the stage, saying, "India's youth have shown that they're not like the Gen Z of other countries." However, chants from the swelling crowd frequently drowned out announcements from protest organisers as well as police loudspeakers.

The protest was organised against alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination, with demonstrators demanding accountability in the examination process and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

As tensions escalated, the CJP urged its supporters to remain peaceful.

"Even if you've been stopped at certain points, remain calm and maintain peace. We will only win this with peace and love," the party said in a public appeal.

In a parallel development, two CJP spokespersons met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and submitted a memorandum listing the protesters' demands, including Pradhan's resignation.

In a post on X, Nadda said discussions with the delegation had begun at 11.50 am after the protesters sought talks with the government. He said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and that the delegation submitted a written petition around 4 pm.

Later in the evening, CJP workers reassembled at the Jantar Mantar dais after Delhi Police had earlier dismantled and cleared the protest stage.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party had not yet received any response from the government following the meeting with Nadda.

"JP Nadda told us that he would speak to the senior leadership and get back to us, but we have received no response so far," Ranka said.

He added that the party would continue its agitation until its demands were met.

"We won't leave Jantar Mantar until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. We are here and waiting for more protesters to join us," he said.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk announced that he would continue his fast, citing what he described as the "brutality" faced by peaceful protesters.

In a statement, Wangchuk said, "Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting Youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the Parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the Hospital. Hopefully Govt will fix accountability of Edu[cation] minister before that. I am touched & moved by how the youth have held on to peace despite provocation and I appeal to the Govt & Police force to resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before the Parliament today or tomorrow. I'm sure the young desmonstrators will show the same patience and tolerance as they did today."

Tags : Cockroach Janta Party, CJP, Protest, Jantar Mantar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Ashutosh Ranka, NEET, Nadda