CJP movement scorches Delhi; HC removes cop who slapped woman protester

New Delhi: The nationwide student agitation led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET question paper leak and examination irregularities has escalated into a wider political and legal confrontation, with fresh action against police personnel, mounting opposition protests, judicial scrutiny and growing criticism from the legal fraternity and public figures.

Delhi Police removed Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Lamba from security duties at Jantar Mantar after a video showing him allegedly slapping a woman protester during the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' march triggered widespread outrage. The officer has been sent back to his parent unit in North East Delhi. The action came after the video was produced before the Delhi High Court during the hearing of petitions alleging police excesses. The court directed authorities to preserve all CCTV footage and related records of the incident. Trinamool Congress leader and former MP Saket Gokhale has also lodged a complaint seeking criminal proceedings against the officer.

Opposition steps up pressure

The police action has intensified the political confrontation over the student movement. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and other opposition leaders, staged a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Delhi Police detained the protesting leaders.

Parliament has continued to witness repeated disruptions over the issue. While the Centre expressed readiness to hold a detailed discussion on the alleged paper leak and the handling of the protests, the opposition insisted that Pradhan's resignation must precede any debate. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared for a comprehensive discussion, but opposition parties refused to relent, resulting in continued disruptions in both Houses.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticised the Prime Minister for responding belatedly to the controversy, accusing the government of acting only after nationwide protests gathered momentum. Earlier, the Prime Minister had announced stricter measures against examination fraud, including fast-track courts and tougher action against those responsible for paper leaks.

Legal fraternity joins protests

The developments have also drawn an unprecedented response from members of the legal community. A group of Supreme Court lawyers assembled during the lunch recess to collectively read the Preamble to the Constitution as part of a campaign to defend constitutional values and democratic rights. Senior advocates, including Indira Jaising, Justice S. Muralidhar (Retd.), Anand Grover and several others, participated in the gathering, along with Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh.

The lawyers condemned the alleged police excesses against students and demanded an independent, high-level inquiry into the incidents. They argued that peaceful protests had been met with unlawful force and warned against what they described as growing attacks on constitutional freedoms. The lawyers also announced plans to organise similar programmes across the country.

Protests widens

The controversy has spread beyond the national capital. In Mumbai, police suspended a driver after a viral video allegedly showed him threatening student protesters with fabricated narcotics cases if demonstrations continued in support of the CJP movement. An official inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

According to the allegations, the driver warned that narcotics could be planted on protesters and cases registered under anti-drug laws. The video sparked widespread public criticism, prompting disciplinary action pending the outcome of the investigation.

Reports have also alleged increased surveillance of student activists, including monitoring through digital platforms, visits to their homes, direct phone calls and messages, and notices issued under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita requiring them to appear for questioning.

Public support grows

The police crackdown has also drawn reactions from public figures. Actor Sonu Sood criticised the use of force against students, urging authorities to respond with compassion rather than coercion.

Student protesters continue to maintain that their demonstrations have remained peaceful and accuse the police of using excessive force, including lathi-charge and tear gas, without provocation. They have reiterated that the agitation will continue until action is taken against those responsible for the alleged examination irregularities and their demands for accountability are addressed.