The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Chalo Sansad” march turned violent in central Delhi on Monday after thousands of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, prompting Delhi Police to use tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was also detained during the protest.
Large parts of the national capital witnessed chaos as protesters breached multiple barricades and tried to enter high-security zones near Parliament. Clashes were reported at Parliament Street, Constitution Club, Patel Chowk, Shastri Bhawan and near the RBI building, with several protesters and police personnel sustaining minor injuries.
According to the CJP, Dipke was taken into custody during the demonstration. Party spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that police used force against peaceful protesters and appealed to Members of Parliament to support the students participating in the agitation.
Thousands of demonstrators, including students, marched through central Delhi, regrouping through inner lanes after being stopped by security personnel. Carrying the national flag, they raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram” and “Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do”, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Authorities tightened security across the New Delhi district by deploying additional police and paramilitary personnel to prevent protesters from reaching Parliament. Several gates of Metro stations in the area were closed, disrupting commuters, while internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi as a precaution.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, sought permission to temporarily leave the hospital and join the march, stating that he was feeling well. Hospital authorities, however, said his blood parameters continued to require close medical monitoring despite his vital signs remaining stable.
The protest also resonated inside Parliament, where proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were repeatedly disrupted as Opposition members sought a discussion on the alleged examination irregularities and the ongoing agitation.
Addressing the protesters, Dipke reiterated the CJP’s demands, including the resignation of the Union Education Minister, compensation of ₹1 crore to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide over examination-related issues, and the immediate release of Wangchuk.
The CJP later claimed that the government had initiated contact for talks and that two party spokespersons would meet Union Minister J. P. Nadda to present the organisation’s demands. However, there was no official confirmation from the government regarding the proposed meeting.
Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, criticised the government’s handling of the protest, with Kejriwal urging the Centre to engage in dialogue with the students instead of using force.
The CJP has been spearheading protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, demanding accountability, comprehensive examination reforms and action against those responsible.
