New Delhi, July 20: Tensions escalated in the national capital on Monday after security forces stopped a march by students and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) heading toward Parliament during the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Tear gas shells were fired and batons were used to disperse protesters near Raisina Road and the Sansad Marg Police Station, where demonstrators were halted approximately 200 metres from Parliament.
The march began from Jantar Mantar, where CJP has been holding a sit-in protest since June 20. The demonstration has focused on demands for accountability over alleged paper leak incidents, reforms to safeguard the integrity of competitive examinations, and calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Among the prominent faces associated with the protest are environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who has extended support to the students’ movement, and CJP leaders including Abhijit Depke. Protesters maintained that their march was intended to peacefully present their concerns before Parliament.
Eyewitnesses said security personnel stopped the procession outside the Sansad Marg Police Station before using batons to control the crowd. Several protesters reportedly sustained minor injuries and were administered first aid at the site. Tear gas shells were later fired as demonstrators remained gathered near Raisina Road.
In a statement posted on X, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) strongly condemned the use of tear gas on protesters. The party alleged that the government ignored the month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and then resorted to force against participants attempting to march toward Parliament. CJP described the protesters as peaceful and questioned the necessity of using tear gas during the demonstration.
The student-led movement has drawn attention from several public figures and civil society groups, who have expressed solidarity with demands for transparent examinations, accountability in cases of alleged paper leaks, and stronger measures to protect the future of students. Protesters say their campaign is centred on ensuring fairness, credibility, and equal opportunity in India’s education and recruitment systems.
Authorities had not immediately issued a detailed statement on the use of force at the protest. The situation remained under close security deployment as Parliament commenced its Monsoon Session.
Bureau Report
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