Jantar Mantar reclaimed! CJP defies overnight police eviction, returns to protest site

Large numbers of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar after CJP leaders announced that the agitation would continue despite Monday's police crackdown.

Police remained on high alert as the administration faced widespread criticism over the lathicharge on students during the protests in the national capital on Monday.

Parliament March Triggers Violence

Dramatic scenes unfolded during the Parliament march on the streets of Delhi on Monday as police lathi-charged thousands of protesters, leaving several demonstrators injured.

Police also fired tear gas shells, barricaded roads and detained protesters as a massive confrontation erupted in one of the most significant anti-government protests in recent years.

According to reports, several police personnel were also injured during the clashes, which disrupted normal life across the city.

Metro services were affected, parts of central Delhi came to a standstill, and protesters clashed with police while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and broader education-related issues.

Why Are They Protesting?

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online satirical campaign, began its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar nearly a month ago demanding Pradhan's resignation over paper-leak, besides a call for an educational reform.

The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike on June 28 in support of the protesters.

The agitation intensified last week after Wangchuk was forcibly removed from Jantar Mantar by police and admitted to a hospital.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had launched his own hunger strike following Wangchuk's removal, called off his fast on Monday after a request from the parent of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide.

Wangchuk Vows to Continue Indefinite Fast

Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday that he would continue his indefinite fast until youth leaders protesting over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak are allowed to meet Members of Parliament inside Parliament or lawmakers visit him at the Delhi hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

The announcement came through a handwritten note shared on social media by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo, as Wangchuk entered the 23rd day of his fast.

"I will continue my fast (day 23). Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the Parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital," Wangchuk wrote.

Expressing solidarity with CJP protesters, Wangchuk urged the Centre to fix accountability for the alleged examination irregularities.

"Hopefully the government will fix the accountability of the education minister before that. I am touched and moved by how the youth have held on to peace despite provocation and I appeal to the government and the police to resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow," he said.

He also appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful and continue to show "patience and tolerance."

CJP Delegation Meets JP Nadda

Wangchuk's statement came hours after Union Health Minister JP Nadda met CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka amid the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar.

During the meeting, the delegation submitted a list of demands, including fixing accountability for the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police urged the public to remain cautious about misinformation circulating on social media regarding the protests.

What Are the Current Demands?

The CJP has put forward three key demands:

• Resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Release of Sonam Wangchuk.
• Compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak issue.

Protests Spread to Other Cities

The agitation has spread beyond the national capital, with demonstrations being reported from several cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Patna and Jaipur.

Student groups, civil society organisations and opposition-backed youth wings organised marches, candlelight vigils and symbolic hunger strikes in solidarity with the protesters at Jantar Mantar.

In several places, protesters demanded a transparent investigation into the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and greater accountability from the Union government over examination-related issues.