The national capital was gripped by intense protests as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spearheaded its 'Sansad Chalo' (March to Parliament) campaign. The demonstration, which originated from Jantar Mantar and aimed to reach the Parliament House, was organized to protest against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The situation escalated quickly as protesters clashed with security forces, leading to the use of tear gas and physical force to manage the crowds. The protest caused significant disruption in Central Delhi, with several metro stations being shut down and thousands of commuters facing difficulties.
Demands for Accountability and Resignation
The primary objective of the CJP's protest was to demand the immediate resignation of the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The party and its supporters have been vocal about the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, calling for comprehensive reforms and strict action against those involved in the paper leak. As the protesters attempted to breach barricades and move toward the high-security zone of the Parliament, the Delhi Police intervened. Several protesters were detained during the scuffle, and the police utilized light force and tear gas to disperse the gathering. Thousands of supporters had gathered at Jantar Mantar, where they were joined by various opposition leaders before the police eventually cleared the area.
Impact on Parliament and High-Level Meetings
The ripples of the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' campaign were felt within the halls of Parliament as well. The proceedings in both houses were disrupted as the issue of the paper leak was raised, leading to repeated adjournments. Amidst the chaos, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to discuss the situation. Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke was reportedly taken into custody by the Delhi Police on Monday, following which he ended his fast. However, the police later clarified that Dipke had not been officially detained. In another development, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently hospitalized, continues his hunger strike.
Metro Closures and Public Inconvenience
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) took precautionary measures due to security concerns arising from the CJP's march. Five metro stations were closed on Monday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. The closure of gates at major hubs like Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk led to massive crowds and confusion. Some protesters managed to enter the metro premises and raised slogans, prompting security personnel to use light force near Patel Chowk station to disperse the crowd. Protesters also reached the vicinity of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) near Parliament, where they continued their demonstration under heavy security surveillance.
Security Escalation at Shastri Bhawan and Parliament
Security forces were forced to deploy tear gas shells near Shastri Bhawan when a group of protesters allegedly tried to break through barricades to join the CJP's march toward Jantar Mantar, while the high-security zone saw a massive deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. Access to nearby metro stations was restricted, and several gates remained closed throughout the day. In anticipation of further unrest during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, security has been further tightened, with the Rapid Action Force (RAF) stationed to handle emergencies. Reports indicated that several police officers sustained injuries during the various clashes that broke out across Central Delhi.
Political Support and Negotiations
The protest saw participation from senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Atishi, who arrived at Jantar Mantar to show solidarity. Manish Sisodia had earlier appealed to all political parties and citizens to join the march to support the country's youth. Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav also visited the site to extend her support to the protesters, while in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government's handling of the protest, alleging that the police used force against students. Kharge stated, "This is a matter related to students; I am speaking about the future of millions of children. Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar for this reason, while there has been a lathi charge there. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and run over them.
Dialogue with the Government
Despite the tensions, CJP representatives Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda to present their demands. Sourav Das mentioned that while the administration's approach was delayed, the party remained open to dialogue. Following the meeting, JP Nadda shared on X that the first proposal for talks came from the protesters on Monday morning, and discussions began at 11:50 AM. He noted that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, with a verbal discussion followed by a written petition submitted at approximately 4 PM. Nadda requested the protesters to end their sit-in and assist the administration in restoring normalcy, promising to inform the central leadership about their demands.