BB Desk
The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) much-anticipated ‘Sansad Chalo’ protest witnessed a massive turnout at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday with thousands of students, youth activists, civil society members and opposition leaders assembling despite heavy rain, extensive security arrangements, and restrictions imposed by the Delhi Police.
The demonstration organised on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session seeks accountability over alleged irregularities in national examinations particularly NEET and demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest has also become a broader expression of youth anger over examination leaks, unemployment and governance.
The protest drew the support of leaders from multiple opposition parties. AAP leaders Atishi, Sanjay Singh, and Manish Sisodia joined demonstrators at Jantar Mantar while MPs from other opposition parties like Mahua Moitra, Dimple Yadav, and Chandrashekhar Azad also expressed solidarity. Public figures, including actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi presented themselves as well at the venue alongside social activists and student organisations.
Delhi Police mounted one of the largest security operations in central Delhi in recent months following the protest. Multi-layered barricades, paramilitary personnel and extensive vehicle checks were deployed around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and the Central Vista. The Authorities also invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), stating that no permission had been granted for a march towards Parliament.
As part of the security measures, several Delhi Metro stations like Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth were temporarily closed, causing significant inconvenience to commuters.
Tensions escalated when groups of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to confrontations with security personnel. Eyewitnesses, several videos, and media reports described instances of police using lathis and tear gas to disperse sections of the crowd after attempts were made to breach barricades. The scuffle left some of the protestors injured. Delhi Police, however, maintained that the protest was being handled professionally and denied reports of excessive force.
Despite the restrictions, protesters continued to march towards the parliament, raising slogans and carrying the national flag while reiterating calls for education reforms.
As reports of the use of force intensified, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the ongoing NEET paper leak issue along with the ongoing CJP protest in Rajya Sabha accusing the Centre of attempting to suppress the voice of protesting young students instead of resolving their concerns and broader issues affecting Education.
Addressing the House, Kharge insisted the issue affects the future of lakhs of students and criticized the government’s handling of the demonstration. “Yeh students ka mamla hai, lakhon bachchon ke bhavishya ke baare mein main baat kar raha hoon. Aur uske liye hazaron bachche aaye hain wahan. Lathi charge ho gaya hai. Sarkar maarne ki koshish kar rahi hai,” said Kharge.
His remarks came as tensions escalated at the protest site, where police used batons to push back demonstrators attempting to move beyond barricades. Internet services were also suspended in parts of central Delhi as authorities tightened security around Jantar Mantar and the Parliament area.
The developments triggered sharp exchanges in the Upper House as opposition members sought a discussion on the issue.
Amid the demonstrations, CJP spokespersons stated that the Centre had reached out for talks and a delegation has met the Union Minister J.P. Nadda who has sought time to deliberate at length on the issue. While no formal breakthrough had been reached at the time of writing, the development marked the first significant indication of direct engagement between the government and the protest leadership.
The protest unfolded in the absence of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains under medical supervision at Safdarjung Hospital following his prolonged hunger strike. Before the march, Wangchuk urged supporters to participate peacefully and said his fast would continue until the movement’s demands receive a meaningful response.
His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, joined the gathering and appealed to demonstrators to remain focused on the issues of education and accountability.
The ‘Sansad Chalo’ mobilisation has emerged as the largest public demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party since the movement began. Despite restrictions, adverse weather and heightened security, thousands of participants converged on Jantar Mantar, highlighting the growing national resonance of the campaign. Whether the government’s outreach leads to substantive negotiations is likely to determine the movement’s next phase.
Meanwhile, CJP Founder Abhjeet Dipke has ended his hunger strike continuing to lead the protest at the Parliament.
