Police use baton charge, fire tear gas at Cockroach Janta Party protests in Delhi
The CJP-led protest demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak controversy.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday (20 July) led a major protest in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy, with police resorting to baton charges and tear gas to disperse demonstrators at Jantar Mantar.
According to Hindustan Times, around 50,000 protesters took to the streets of New Delhi demanding Pradhan's resignation. Although a previously announced march towards Parliament did not take place, demonstrators occupied large parts of Central Delhi.
The protests have continued for more than a month over allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak and other issues.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said party representatives met Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence after the government reached out to them.
During the meeting, they placed three demands before the government: the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide.
However, Ranka later said the government had not responded to their demands.
Protest leader Abhijeet Dipke said demonstrations would continue until Pradhan resigns despite police clearing the protest site following the use of force.
"They've made it like North Korea," Dipke said while addressing protesters after the police action.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk announced that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, now in its 23rd day, condemning what he described as police "brutality" against peaceful demonstrators.
Heavy security was deployed at Jantar Mantar ahead of the protest. Police erected barricades at key entry points, including Tolstoy Marg and roads near Kerala House, while riot control vehicles were stationed in the area.
Delhi Police also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
In a public advisory issued on X on Sunday (19 July), Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said no permission had been sought or granted for any protest march or procession.
