Protesters demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET 2026 exam irregularities breached barricades near Connaught Place, while police enforced prohibitory orders with a massive security deployment.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 20: Delhi Police on Monday resorted to a lathi charge and water cannons to disperse thousands of students, youth activists and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attempting to march towards Parliament, triggering chaotic scenes across central Delhi as the capital witnessed one of its biggest protest mobilisations in recent months.
The confrontation began when hundreds of protesters marching from Mandi House Metro Station towards Jantar Mantar attempted to break through multiple layers of police barricades erected to prevent the proposed ‘Sansad Chalo’ march. Armed with batons and backed by paramilitary personnel, police pushed back demonstrators amid slogan-shouting and scuffles, with several protesters alleging excessive use of force.
Meanwhile, Activist Sonam Wangchuk has written to the authorities at Safdarjung Hospital, stating that he is in good health and requesting permission to leave the hospital, even if only temporarily, so that he can join the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march to Parliament.
Large numbers of protesters, including students, women wearing red T-shirts and youth activists, gathered at Jantar Mantar despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) being in force across central Delhi ahead of the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the Centre of failing to prevent alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET examination, while also expressing solidarity with environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike.
CJP संसद मार्च में पुलिस ने प्रदर्शनकारियों पर किया लाठीचार्ज, कई प्रदर्शकारी हिरासत में लिए गए…@vinay_sultan की रिपोर्ट – pic.twitter.com/6vMKJGaixd
— News Pinch (@TheNewspinch) July 20, 2026
As crowds swelled through the morning, police sealed the protest site with multiple layers of iron barricades, police buses and concertina wire. However, the sheer number of demonstrators overwhelmed one barricade near Connaught Place, leading to pushing and shoving between protesters and security personnel.
Visuals from the protest showed demonstrators lying on the roads to block police vehicles, while others attempted to move towards Parliament chanting slogans against the Central Government.
READ: Delhi Turns Fortress as Police Block CJP Parliament March
Supporters also clashed with Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel near Jantar Mantar, prompting police to use batons to restore order and push the crowds back.
Adding political weight to the protest, Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram chief and MP Chandrashekhar Azad and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra reached the protest site and interacted with demonstrators, lending support to the agitation.
CJP Protest Update: Thousands of protesters reach Jantar Mantar on Monday amid heavy security deployment.
Negotiations ongoing, situation remains tense.#DelhiProtest #JantarMantar pic.twitter.com/25lsDbUd88
— Public News X (@PublicNewsX) July 20, 2026
Metro Stations Shut, Commuters Face Chaos
The protest also severely disrupted public transport across the national capital.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed five Metro stations as a precautionary measure following security advisories, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded during the morning rush hour. Long queues formed outside several stations as passengers scrambled to find alternative transport, while traffic congestion intensified across Connaught Place, Mandi House, Parliament Street and adjoining areas due to diversions and road closures.
Police Defend Action
Delhi Police said the proposed march had not received permission and that prohibitory orders prohibited any procession towards Parliament. Officials maintained that the use of force became necessary after protesters attempted to breach barricades and move into the high-security Parliament zone.
Security personnel, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) units and other paramilitary contingents, remained deployed throughout the area to prevent further escalation.
Protesters Cite Two Key Demands
The CJP said the protest was aimed at pressing two principal demands: accountability for the alleged NEET paper leak and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, besides expressing support for Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike.
Meanwhile, Wangchuk, who entered the 21st day of his fast on Monday, was shifted by police for medical attention and is currently under observation at Safdarjung Hospital, according to officials.
The situation remained tense through the afternoon, with heavy police deployment continuing around Jantar Mantar and Parliament as authorities monitored the gathering amid fears of fresh attempts to march towards the legislature.
