Police Clash with Cockroach Janta Party Protesters in Delhi

Police fired tear gas and used canes and batons to attack supporters of the youth-led cockroach movement. Over 10,000 people marched to the parliament in the largest protest yet. The youth are demanding the resignation of the education minister and a crackdown on exam corruption.b

The protest and march by the demonstrators was considerably greater than predicted, with numbers boosted by indignation over Saturday’s involuntary hospitalisation of experience 59-year-old activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike for three weeks in solidarity with the movement.

As the demonstrators marched, they yelled chants demanding that PM Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign.

Section 163 enforced security measures at Jantar Mantar

Barricades were erected at the rear of the protest location (Kerala House) to block one of the entrance routes, and the area was well guarded. One of the primary entrances to the property, Tolstoy Marg, has barricades. As if right moment, it has left a tiny opening for individuals to enter. A riot control truck was also observed entering the area, and police officers remained vigilant.

In the meantime, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been enforced by the Delhi Police. In a Sunday public warning, DCP Sachin Sharma said “Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought”. They said it wasn’t granted for any such protest march/procession.

First interaction of Cockroach Janta Party with the Centre

The Centre conducted it’s final official meetings with the CJP on Monday. According to the CJP, Nadda said the government will review the demands but stopped short of providing any assurance. Following two meetings with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka handed a memorandum detailing their demands. Wangchuk’s unconditional release, Pradhan’s resignation, and ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who reportedly committed suicide following the NEET paper leak were among their requests.

Monday was the 23rd day of the CJP’s demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Several opposition figures, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and Arvind Kejriwal, declared support for the demonstrators and denounced the police violence.