Tens of Thousands Protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Clash with Police Outside Parliament

Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) marched from Jantar Mantar in central Delhi to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, clashing with police who blocked their route to parliament in a march held amid heavy rain and a police ban.

Protesters gathered from early morning at the 300-year-old observatory and remained despite barricades and a large security deployment. Organisers said the march responded to alleged exam paper leaks; volunteers handed out food and water while demonstrators waved flags, painted placards and chanted slogans.

As the march moved toward parliament, police stopped groups at successive barricades and pushed back some attempting to breach the cordons. Several demonstrators reported injuries after baton charges, with volunteer medics treating at least 10 people, including a woman with a suspected broken leg and others with head wounds.

Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi. Inside parliament, the monsoon session’s opening day was repeatedly adjourned as opposition MPs protested over the alleged paper leak and related issues.

CJP representatives met Health Minister JP Nadda after waiting outside his residence and submitted a letter outlining the group’s demands; Nadda said he would raise the matter within government, and later urged protesters to end the demonstration and restore normalcy.

Founder Abhijeet Dipke led the movement, which adopted its name after a controversial remark by India’s chief justice; Dipke has said the comment was embraced as the group’s symbol. Police in riot gear later entered Jantar Mantar and ordered the remaining protesters to disperse, after which officers pushed people back and some demonstrators linked arms in refusal to leave.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The protest began as a response to alleged exam paper leaks and broadened into wider public dissent, drawing students, parents, teachers, professionals and opposition figures to Jantar Mantar. Large police deployments, barricades around parliament and temporary suspension of mobile internet marked the authorities’ response, while meetings between CJP representatives and the health minister signalled an attempt at dialogue.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Thousands gathered at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi to demand the education minister’s resignation over alleged exam paper leaks.
• Police blocked the march to parliament with barricades; clashes and baton-charge injuries were reported and volunteer medics treated at least 10 people.
• Mobile internet was suspended in parts of central Delhi, the monsoon session in parliament was repeatedly adjourned, and CJP representatives met Health Minister JP Nadda to submit demands.