New Delhi, July 20: Tension gripped the national capital on Monday as Delhi Police used tear gas shells and batons to disperse thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) who attempted to march towards Parliament despite restrictions imposed ahead of the Monsoon Session.
The protesters had gathered at Jantar Mantar under the “Chalo Sansad” campaign to demand accountability over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and to seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to police, permission for the march had not been granted, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were already in force across the New Delhi district, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar. As demonstrators attempted to move towards Parliament, security personnel intervened, leading to clashes in which both protesters and police personnel reportedly sustained minor injuries.
To prevent the situation from escalating, mobile internet services were suspended in parts of Central Delhi, while security arrangements around Parliament were significantly strengthened.
In a statement posted on X, Delhi Police urged citizens to avoid participating in unauthorised gatherings and to comply with the prohibitory orders. The force reiterated that no permission had been sought or granted for any march to Parliament on July 20 and appealed to the public to cooperate in maintaining peace, safety and security.
🚨Prohabitory orders u/s 163 BNSS are in force in New Delhi District except designated protest site at Jantar Mantar Road.
Further, no permission has been sought or granted for any proposed march to Parliament on 20 July 2026.
Citizens are advised not to participate in any… pic.twitter.com/aUio5slVM6
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) July 19, 2026
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party appealed to its supporters to remain peaceful despite the police action. In a message shared on social media, the party urged demonstrators to stay calm, avoid confrontation and continue their movement through peaceful means.
The protest also disrupted public transport across the city. As a precautionary measure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation temporarily closed five key metro stations—Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth—causing inconvenience to hundreds of commuters. Large crowds were seen outside several stations as passengers were forced to seek alternative routes.
The Cockroach Janta Party, launched in May 2026 by social media personality Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical political movement, rapidly gained popularity online following controversy surrounding remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The party has since expanded its campaign, focusing on reforms in the education sector and raising concerns over alleged examination irregularities, including question paper leaks.
Dipke returned to India in June to lead the movement and was later joined by social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28 in support of education reforms. Wangchuk was admitted to hospital on Saturday after police cited health concerns. In a handwritten message released from the hospital on Monday, he said he would end his fast only if the government accepted responsibility for the alleged examination irregularities or Members of Parliament assured him that the issue would be raised during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as security remains heightened across central Delhi during the Parliament session.
