CJP's Delhi March Turns Violent, 118 Police Personnel Injured
Around 70 protesters were detained after clashes broke out during the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Sansad Chalo' march toward Parliament over NEET-UG grievances
Synopsis
The Sansad Chalo' march by the 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) towards Parliament in central Delhi, which turned violent, left more than 118 Delhi Police personnel injured, while the protesters had been rounded up with over 70 individuals detained. Police claimed that protesters threw stones, smashing barricades and government vehicles, and the protest movement is fuelled by a grievance against NEET-UG exams has threatened to march on.
AdvertisementThe Clash
Delhi Police reported over 118 personnel and some 70 protesters sustained injuries after the CJP's ' Sansad Chalo' protest in New Delhi turned violent and resulted in damage to government vehicles and public property.
According to police, despite repeated warnings and directions to disperse, protesters exhibited "unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour" and had trespassed on the prohibitory orders in force in the area in an official statement.
AdvertisementLaw enforcement's assertions of specific allegations against protesters were made: police said protesters threw stones and objects at security forces, tried to break barricades and vandalize police and other government vehicles.
The Underlying Grievance
The protest is based on claims of cheating in the exams. The clashes took place in central Delhi where the CJP was marching on to Parliament to raise demands on the allegations of leak in NEET paper and irregularities in the examination.
The CJP, which started as an online campaign before becoming a political group, has been staging protests at Jantar Mantar since June 20 and was joined by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on June 28 on a hunger strike.
The Aftermath
The agitation has not abated. CJP protesters once again went to Jantar Mantar on the second day of protests, saying they will continue to protest and agitated for a settlement with the Centre, which has maintained high security at the venue.
AdvertisementIn full view of the public, a large security force by Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (R.A.F) was deployed around Jantar Mantar to prevent any more such incidents.
A Familiar Pattern
High-profile Delhi protests have seen such clashes with police before but not on this scale. The students have been detained at Jantar Mantar without such violence as witnessed during protests in the past when the NEET students protested, including the one in 2024 in which the NSSI led a protest march, indicating that this confrontation may be more pronounced than earlier NEET-related agitations.
Why It Matters
The fight is an indication of the volatility that can ensue when extended and unaddressed protests emerge over the integrity of exams — a matter that has been a recurring theme on India's streets for the past few years since the first examination paper leak case involving the NEET-UG exam came into the open in Delhi.
The incident, in which more than a hundred police officers were injured and dozens arrested, also brings fresh questions regarding crowd management at large scale rallies in the capital as the CJP and the police stand at a stalemate over the demand of the CJP, which is the resignation of the education minister.
