Security forces deployed tear gas shells and batons on Monday to disperse thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters who gathered in Delhi for a march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, despite police refusing permission for the event. The demonstrators, composed largely of young people, had converged at Jantar Mantar for the "Chalo Sansad" rally to protest against alleged irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Riots erupted when the protestors tried to cross the barricades erected by the police forces as they moved closer to Parliament. In view of the increasing tension, authorities cut off mobile internet in certain areas of Central Delhi, and the CJP appealed to its followers via social media to keep themselves calm.
The showdown came after an official denial of permission from the Delhi Police on Sunday as the authorities had issued restrictions against holding meetings in the district, stating that anyone violating these prohibitory orders would be subject to prosecution. According to a statement released on X, the police informed the people that any processions, rallies, or meetings of five or more individuals would not be allowed.
The safety precautions led to much disruption within the transport system in the capital city after five crucial stations in the Delhi Metro — Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth were shut down due to security reasons. The abrupt shutdowns left many passengers stranded as there was heavy congestion at the entry/exit points of key stations like Rajiv Chowk.
The Cockroach Janta Party was originally established in May by a 30-year-old named Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical social movement after some controversies surrounding statements made by the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Within a very short time, this group managed to gain a large number of followers on social media and even received endorsements from political rivals, artists, sports personalities, and activists. Dipke who had been in America before came back to India in June in order to organise real-life protests in Delhi.
The movement gained further momentum when climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest, initiating an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28. Police forcibly removed the 59-year-old activist to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday, citing concerns over his health. In a handwritten note issued from his hospital bed on Monday, Wangchuk stated that he would only break his fast if the government took accountability for examination failures or if political leaders provided firm assurances that the issue would be formally raised inside the Parliament.
Also read: Delhi HC agrees to hear Wangchuk's wife's appeal today
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