21 July,2026 10:12 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The protest resumed after CJP leaders called on supporters to continue the agitation, with demonstrators gathering at Jantar Mantar despite heightened security arrangements. Pic/PTI
Demonstrators associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued their protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, a day after violent clashes between protesters and security personnel during the "Sansad Chalo" march in the national capital.
The protest resumed after CJP leaders called on supporters to continue the agitation, with demonstrators gathering at Jantar Mantar despite heightened security arrangements. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel remained deployed in large numbers at the protest site to prevent any further escalation.
The agitation follows Monday's clashes, which broke out when thousands of CJP supporters and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG paper leak.
Ahead of the march, Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders in the area and erected multiple barricades to stop protesters from moving towards Parliament.
According to reports, police later removed the protest stage and temporary tents at Jantar Mantar. However, protesters returned to the site early Tuesday after the Cockroach Janta Party appealed to supporters to continue the demonstration.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protest would continue until the Union Education Minister stepped down.
"Our primary demand is the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and that is why we will continue our protest at Jantar Mantar. After the brutality shown by the Delhi Police yesterday, many more people than those seen yesterday will reach Delhi. This movement will end only after Dharmendra Pradhan resigns."
Ranka also accused Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters during Monday's clashes.
"You are beating our children and injuring them. Girls were assaulted, and Geetanjali ma'am, Sonam ji's wife, was dragged by her hair. Even our volunteers, who were helping manage the protest, were beaten. It is clear that instructions were given to suppress and intimidate our children. The entire protest site has been damaged, but the agitation will now grow bigger. We will not move until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," Ranka added.
Delhi Police has not responded specifically to these allegations but has maintained that force was used after protesters allegedly turned violent.
According to Delhi Police, more than 118 personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces were injured during Monday's violence while performing law enforcement duties.
The injured included senior officers holding the ranks of Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, along with several other police personnel deployed at the protest site.
In a post on X, Delhi Police said, "During today's violent protests, more than 118 police personnel from Delhi Police and Central Police Forces, including Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner rank officers deployed on duty, sustained injuries."
Police have alleged that the violence began after protesters attempted to breach barricades and damaged public property and police vehicles.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar visited the hospital where injured police personnel are undergoing treatment and met officers hurt during the clashes.
According to the police, the Commissioner interacted with the injured personnel, enquired about their condition and commended them for performing their duties under difficult circumstances.
In a statement, he said, "Every injury on the uniform bears witness to dedication to duty."
The protests, which began at Jantar Mantar, attracted students, activists and opposition leaders demanding greater accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
Delhi Police said a thorough investigation into Monday's violence is underway, while prohibitory orders continue to remain in force around sensitive locations in central Delhi.
Authorities have appealed to protesters to maintain peace and comply with lawful directions issued by security personnel. With the CJP reiterating its call to continue the agitation, security agencies remain on alert to prevent any further deterioration in the law and order situation.
(With inputs from IANS)
