Mass protests continue in Delhi as opposition leaders confront crackdown

Thousands remain camped in Delhi after police disperse education reform protest

Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters continued a round-the-clock sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi after police used batons and tear gas to disperse a large march called as the monsoon parliamentary session began, leaving dozens injured and triggering opposition-led demonstrations outside the prime minister’s residence.

The protest, driven by youth demands for education reforms and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saw tens of thousands march to parliament on Monday and confront police, who dismantled stages and makeshift tents at the main protest site.

Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge led a surprise march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday, protesting what they described as a brutal police crackdown; Gandhi and other MPs were detained and later released, with video footage shared by the party showing police placing Gandhi in a bus.

Federal Minister Jitendra Singh told reporters that the government had accepted a request for discussion in parliament but accused Gandhi of changing demands; Mr Singh said he informed Gandhi that the venue was not conducive to demonstrations.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, speaking publicly for the first time since the violence, criticized Congress for exploiting students for political spectacle while reiterating the government’s commitment to reforms and accountability; he did not directly address the CJP or the protesters’ resignation demand.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the protesters on 28 June and began an indefinite hunger strike in support of the movement, was removed from the site by police and taken to hospital, where he remains on strike.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The protests, initially focused on education reform and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, escalated when police used force to disperse a large march to parliament; opposition leaders subsequently staged demonstrations at the prime minister’s residence and some MPs were detained and later released.

The movement, inspired by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party and amplified by high-profile involvement such as Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, has spread beyond Delhi to other major Indian cities and sustained large gatherings at Jantar Mantar despite police action.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Thousands of CJP supporters remain camped at Jantar Mantar in Delhi following clashes with police.
• At least dozens were injured after police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters during a march to parliament.
• Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, protested outside the prime minister’s residence and were detained then released.