21 July,2026 11:02 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The Opposition`s criticism came amid continuing protests by the CJP over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Pic/PTI
Opposition leaders on Tuesday criticised the Centre over the police action during the protest in the national capital, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra accusing the government of using excessive force against demonstrators.
Their remarks came a day after clashes broke out during the "Sansad Chalo" march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is protesting over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut took to X to criticise the police action and shared photographs that he claimed showed security personnel detaining protesters during Monday's demonstration.
"20 July should be declared as Coward Day Jai Hind!" Raut wrote in his post.
The post was accompanied by images purportedly showing police personnel taking protesters into custody during the demonstration in Delhi.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera also criticised the government's handling of the protest, alleging that the action against demonstrators reflected injustice towards the country's youth.
"Add yesterday's shameful chapter to the long list of injustices inflicted upon the youth of this country--when, at the behest of those in power, the sons and daughters of this nation were subjected to oppression and brutality. But those who were beating the country's youth today on the orders of the powers that be will have to face the stick of the Constitution tomorrow."
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also reacted to the police action by sharing a photograph showing a confrontation between police personnel and protesters.
"World's largest democracy- take that!" Moitra said in a post on X.
The Opposition's criticism came amid continuing protests by the CJP over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
On Monday, a delegation of the party met Union Health Minister and Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J.P. Nadda and reiterated its demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly lost their lives, and the immediate release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.
Following the meeting, CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the protest would continue until Pradhan resigns.
According to the party, Nadda informed the delegation that protesters had proposed talks with the government and appealed to them to end their sit-in protest.
The "Sansad Chalo" march later turned violent, with clashes reported between protesters and security personnel in parts of central Delhi.
Delhi Police said more than 118 police personnel sustained injuries during the violence, while around 60 protesters were also reported to have been injured.
According to police, protesters allegedly attacked security personnel with stones and other objects, attempted to breach barricades, vandalised police and government vehicles, and damaged public property.
Police have also registered FIRs against unidentified persons at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The cases relate to allegations of rioting, violence, vandalism, damage to public property, obstruction of public servants from performing their duties, and the alleged snatching of police equipment, including jackets and helmets.
Officials further alleged that unidentified individuals vandalised police vehicles and pelted stones at a police team near Regal Cinema in Connaught Place. The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.
Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on July 18.
Meanwhile, CJP leaders have maintained that the agitation will continue, while Delhi Police has appealed to protesters to maintain peace and cooperate with law enforcement as investigations into Monday's violence continue.
(With inputs from ANI)
