CJP march: Police lathicharge protesters near Parliament Street; several detained

Students protested outside the Jantar Mantar area in New Delhi on Monday as part of a campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Clashes erupted between demonstrators and Delhi Police, with reports of baton charges and detentions. The protests followed allegations of widespread examination paper leaks affecting millions of students, with critics accusing the government of failing to address the crisis or hold officials accountable. Protesters, organized under the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), attempted to march toward Parliament but were blocked by authorities due to ongoing prohibitory orders in effect across parts of New Delhi. Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel intervened to disperse the crowd, using lathis to enforce restrictions. The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been hospitalized following a hunger strike, issued a call for action. Wangchuk stated he would end his fast if the government acknowledged its role in the education system’s failures or guaranteed parliamentary attention to the issue. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the fray, condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "the most anti-youth Prime Minister in India's history." He accused the government of shielding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, claiming that despite the leakage of 152 examination papers impacting 7.5 crore students, no action had been taken against those responsible. Gandhi also criticized the use of force against students, alleging that those raising legitimate concerns were beaten while those suspected of leaking exam materials remained unpunished. In response, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge launched a counterattack, accusing Modi of hypocrisy and undermining public trust. He mocked Modi’s remark about Rahul Gandhi, referring to him as a "56-year-old youngster," and questioned the PM’s credibility. Kharge alleged that Modi had enabled corruption through policies that facilitated illegal activities, including the formation of trusts linked to religious institutions. He also condemned the police crackdown, stating that the government was suppressing dissent and harming the future of countless students. Kharge emphasized that the protests were driven by genuine grievances, with thousands gathering at Jantar Mantar to demand Pradhan’s resignation. He argued that the Modi government had failed to resolve the education crisis, instead resorting to punitive measures against peaceful demonstrators. His remarks came as the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day, with opposition members criticizing the government for stifling political expression and obstructing democratic processes. Support for the protesters grew as figures like Aazad Samaj Party leader Chandra Shekhar Azad and actor Prakash Raj joined the demonstration, expressing solidarity with the youth. Azad pledged to advocate for the students’ cause within Parliament, vowing to challenge the government’s handling of the situation. Meanwhile, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das noted that while the group remained open to dialogue, it had yet to receive satisfactory responses from the administration regarding educational reforms. As the protests continue, tensions remain high in New Delhi, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict. The government maintains that its actions are necessary to uphold law and order, while opponents argue that the crackdown is disproportionate and unjustified. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament underway, the debate over education policy and student rights is likely to intensify in the coming days.