Delhi Police Rejects Lathi-Charge Claims as CJP Protest Draws Huge Crowds at Jantar Mantar
New Delhi, July 20: Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday as the party launched its much-publicised “Chalo Sansad” march, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET examination irregularities and broader reforms in the education system.
The protest attracted a large number of students, activists and citizens from across the country. Several prominent personalities, including veteran actor Shabana Azmi, also visited the protest site to express solidarity with the demonstrators, while political leaders from various parties extended their support to the movement.
As protesters attempted to march towards Parliament, security personnel stopped them at multiple barricades set up around the high-security zone. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show police personnel using lathis to push back sections of the crowd, leading to allegations that a lathi-charge had been carried out.
However, Delhi Police strongly denied these allegations, stating that no lathi-charge had taken place during the protest. According to the police, officers used only minimal force wherever necessary to regulate the crowd and prevent protesters from breaching security arrangements around Parliament. Authorities maintained that the situation was handled professionally and in accordance with established law-and-order protocols.
The capital remained under heavy security throughout the day. Hundreds of police personnel, paramilitary forces, barricades and rapid response teams were deployed around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and Central Vista after permission for the proposed Parliament march was denied. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remained in force across the New Delhi district.
Meanwhile, the protest continued peacefully at Jantar Mantar despite the restrictions. CJP leaders urged supporters to remain calm and avoid confrontation with security personnel, insisting that their movement would continue through peaceful and democratic means.
The agitation has gained further momentum following the hospitalisation of environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the movement. His health condition and continued hospital stay have become central issues in the ongoing protest, with supporters demanding greater accountability from the government over alleged examination paper leaks and reforms in the education system.
As the Monsoon Session of Parliament began, the protests outside Parliament added to the political heat in the capital, with the Opposition expected to raise the issues of the NEET controversy and the ongoing demonstrations inside both Houses.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
