Police raze camp; CJP protesters reclaim Jantar Mantar overnight
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New Delhi: A day after Delhi Police dismantled the protest camp at Jantar Mantar and cracked down on thousands of students during the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) "Sansad Chalo" march, protesters returned overnight, rebuilt the tent and resumed their agitation, signalling that the confrontation with the Centre is far from over. CJP founder Abhijit Dipke announced that the Parliament march and protest would continue on Tuesday until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over the NEET paper leak and alleged irregularities in the CBSE re-evaluation process.
Monday's protest, held on the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session, witnessed thousands of students marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament despite heavy security arrangements. Protesters occupied four key approach roads leading to Parliament after advancing through multiple routes when access from Jantar Mantar was blocked. The police responded with repeated baton charges and tear gas after students breached barricades. According to the protest organisers, Parliament's gates were shut for hours as the demonstration intensified, with even the internal gates later closed amid fears that protesters could enter the complex.
The agitation continued despite the crackdown. Protesters who refused to disperse regrouped at Jantar Mantar after police cleared the site, demolished the protest camp and detained Dipke and other CJP leaders. Barricades were overturned as activists re-entered the venue and reconstructed the protest camp later that night.
The Centre held discussions with CJP representatives, while Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda met party spokesperson Saurav Das. Protesters said the government sought time to examine demands, including Pradhan's resignation, Sonam Wangchuk's release and compensation for those who died by suicide, but refused to concede the resignation demand. Protesters maintained that the agitation would continue.
The protest also saw allegations of excessive police force. Organisers claimed hundreds of students and supporters were injured, with several allegedly taken into custody instead of being immediately shifted to hospitals. Sonam Wangchuk's wife Geetanjali Wangchuk and SP leader Iqra Hasan alleged that female students were assaulted and their clothes were torn during the police action.
Delhi Police said it had begun examining CCTV footage and mobile phone videos to determine whether the violence formed part of a larger conspiracy. The protest, which began at Jantar Mantar on June 20, has intensified since Sonam Wangchuk joined an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 and was later shifted to Safdarjung Hospital while continuing his fast. Abhijit Dipke has since also begun an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site.