Tensions escalated in the national capital on Monday as members and supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) marched towards Parliament, prompting heavy police deployment and the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd. The party also claimed that its founder, Abhijit Dipke, was detained during the protest.
In a post on X, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that Dipke had been taken into custody and accused police of using force against demonstrators. “Dipke has been picked up by the police. We request all MPs to immediately stand in support of the students on the streets. The police is brutally cracking down and beating peaceful protesters,” he wrote.
Amid the growing agitation, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reportedly met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a development being closely watched in the backdrop of the ongoing protests. The Centre also initiated talks with CJP representatives. According to reports, CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Union Minister J P Nadda to discuss the protesters’ demands after the government reached out for dialogue.
The protesters gathered near Rail Bhawan and the Press Club, where they staged a sit-in demonstration. Security was intensified across central Delhi, with authorities closing the main gates of Parliament and deploying additional personnel. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar also visited the Sansad Marg Police Station to review the situation.
Earlier in the day, police resorted to a mild lathi-charge as protesters attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on Monday, Delhi Police had already tightened security arrangements and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in parts of New Delhi.
Several Opposition leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, joined the protest. Actor Prakash Raj and Geetanjali, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, were also present in support of the demonstrators.
As a precautionary measure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed entry and exit gates at five Metro stations Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Tirth due to the protest.
Earlier on Monday, Abhijit Dipke and three members of AISA ended their hunger strike and called for a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. Although Delhi Police had denied permission for the rally, a large number of supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar before proceeding towards Parliament.
The CJP is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging widespread examination paper leaks and accusing the government of failing to take responsibility despite several student suicides linked to alleged irregularities in the education system.
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