Protesters Clash with Police During Parliament March

Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party supporters clashed with police in central Delhi on Monday as they tried to march to Parliament demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged examination paper leaks, media reports said.

The Indian Express reported that police used lathis and tear gas as protesters moved from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, with multiple reports of injuries to both protesters and security personnel. It said mobile internet was blocked in the area around Jantar Mantar and Parliament. Reuters reported that police had denied permission for the march, and that more than 10,000 protesters had gathered by Monday morning. Television visuals showed police caning some protesters, while Delhi Police denied using force and said the protest was being handled professionally.

The government also reached out to the protesters, with CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka meeting Union Minister J.P. Nadda, The Indian Express reported. Das said Nadda assured them he would discuss the matter internally after they submitted a written letter with their demands. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das earlier said founder Abhijeet Dipke had been detained by police, which he later denied.

CJP founder Dipke had ended his hunger strike earlier in the day after a message from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains in Safdarjung Hospital after being shifted there by police on Saturday. Wangchuk asked Dipke to conserve his energy to continue the protest, the newspaper said.

AP reported that police fired tear gas and charged at protesters with batons after demonstrators tried to breach security barricades, though many continued moving towards Parliament in small groups.

The movement is demanding Pradhan’s resignation, reforms to the examination system and accountability over repeated paper leaks.