Delhi Police baton-charged CJP protesters near Jantar Mantar on day one of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, as thousands defied a march ban demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam paper leaks. Five metro stations were shut and heavy security deployed under BNSS Section 163. Alongside the protest, activist Sonam Wangchuk remains hospitalised on an indefinite hunger strike. Meanwhile, three student activists ended their 23-day fast after opposition leaders assured them their demands would be raised in Parliament..
Delhi’s roads and metro network buckled under the weight of a protest on Monday morning. Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters had gathered at Jantar Mantar overnight, despite heavy rain, for a planned march to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Delhi Police had already denied permission for the march.
The standoff turned physical within hours. Security personnel resorted to a lathi-charge after protesters clashed with Rapid Action Force (RAF) units and Delhi Police near Jantar Mantar. No official statement had been issued on the use of force by the time of this report.
Metro chaos spreads across the city
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation shut five stations as a security measure ahead of the march. At Rajiv Chowk, one of the capital’s busiest interchange stations, commuters were seen crowding near closed entry and exit gates. At Patel Chowk, security personnel used mild force to disperse people heading toward the protest site.
Separately, police carried out a mild lathi-charge to disperse protesters marching from Mandi House toward Jantar Mantar, ahead of the larger clash later in the day.
Prohibitory orders and heavy deployment
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force across central Delhi. Roads have been barricaded, and police have deployed riot-control vehicles and water cannons across key areas near Parliament.
Despite the restrictions, a large group of protesters, including CJP supporters and members of the public, was seen moving from Janpath’s Tibetan Market toward Jantar Mantar through the morning.
Sonam Wangchuk remains hospitalised
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose hunger strike has run alongside the CJP protest, remains admitted at Safdarjung Hospital. His condition is described as stable but under close medical supervision as he continues his fast.
His wife moved the Delhi High Court again on Monday, seeking to have him shifted to a private hospital.
Student hunger strike ends
Three student activists, identified as Neha, Manish and Aameen, ended their 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Monday. Opposition leaders had appealed to them to end the fast. They assured the students that their demands would be raised inside Parliament and carried forward through public campaigns instead.
With Parliament’s Monsoon Session now underway, the standoff is likely to shape the day’s proceedings both inside and outside the House. Furthermore, whether the government’s reported outreach to CJP leads to any de-escalation, and whether protesters attempt to push past barricades again through the day, will determine how the rest of Monday unfolds in central Delhi.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
