Police lathicharge protesters at Jantar Mantar as CJP march breaches barricades toward Parliament Street
Dozens injured as thousands of Cockroach Janta Party supporters push toward Parliament amid Sonam Wangchuk’s 23-day hunger strike
By NewsArc Bureau | New Delhi
Delhi Police used lathicharge to disperse protesters at Jantar Mantar on Monday as thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters attempted to march toward Parliament, leaving several people injured, with reports of head wounds among the crowd. Police, however, denied any use of force against demonstrators.
Between 30,000 and 35,000 protesters gathered at the site and attempted to push toward Parliament, with several breaking through barricades to reach the Parliament Street police station. Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in large numbers, with barricades set up at multiple points along the route.
NO PERMISSION FOR MARCH: POLICE
Police said permission for the march to Parliament had not been granted. CJP founder Abhijeet Deepke, however, insisted the demonstration would not be stopped, asserting the march would remain entirely peaceful.
WANGCHUK’S THREE CONDITIONS
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, on hunger strike for 23 days, has laid out three conditions to end his fast: that the government accept responsibility for the education system and the paper leak issue; that a CJP delegation be allowed to meet Parliament members, who must commit to raising the matter; and, if health prevents his own travel, that MPs visit him at Safdarjung Hospital to offer the same assurance.
AAP LEADERS JOIN PROTEST
Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Atishi joined the demonstration at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the protesters.
POLICE DENY VIOLENCE
Delhi Police issued a statement rejecting claims circulating on social media of violence and detentions at the site, calling such reports misleading and appealing to the public not to believe rumours. The force said it was managing the situation professionally and urged cooperation in maintaining law and order in the area.
BACKGROUND
The Cockroach Janta Party has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20 over the NEET paper leak, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk joined the movement on June 28. The party itself was formed after Chief Justice Surya Kant’s remark comparing unemployed youth to cockroaches.
