Clashes Erupt During CJP Parliament March as Delegation Meets Union Minister J P Nadda
Police use tear gas and baton charges to stop protesters in Delhi while CJP submits three key demands to the Union government.
New Delhi: Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party marched towards Parliament in New Delhi on Monday to protest alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in the education system. The demonstration led to major clashes after security forces stopped protesters from advancing towards Parliament.
Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd, resulting in chaotic scenes around Jantar Mantar and the Parliament area. Several protesters and security personnel were reportedly injured during the clashes. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi as a precautionary measure.
According to reports, the protest, which has been ongoing at Jantar Mantar since June 20, turned more tense at around 4 pm when security personnel began clearing the protest site and removing temporary camps set up by demonstrators.
The situation prompted high level discussions within the government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and BJP president Nitin Naveen reportedly held consultations to review the developments.
At the same time, a CJP delegation comprising spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J P Nadda and submitted a memorandum outlining the organisation’s demands.
The CJP called for the immediate release of social activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, and compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of 21 students who allegedly died by suicide due to stress linked to examination controversies.
In its memorandum, the organisation claimed that repeated examination paper leaks and technical failures had put the future of millions of students at risk and alleged that the Education Ministry had failed to address these issues effectively.
The protest movement has continued since June 20. Sonam Wangchuk had also joined the agitation through a hunger strike before being shifted to hospital by Delhi Police on health grounds. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had also begun an indefinite fast, ended his protest on Monday morning following an appeal from Wangchuk.
After meeting the CJP delegation, Union Minister J P Nadda said on social media that the discussion had taken place in a constructive atmosphere. He confirmed that he had received the written memorandum and said the government would hold internal consultations on the issues raised. He also appealed to the protesters to end their sit in and cooperate with the administration in maintaining law and order.