"Recite Vande Mataram brez teleprompter": Sanjay Raut izziva PM Modi, Amit Shah

Delhi’s historic Jantar Mantar site, once a focal point of mass protests, has again become a stage for dissent. On Monday, thousands gathered under a drizzly sky, chanting the national anthem and demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which organized the demonstration, called it “Chalo Sansad”, a call to march toward Parliament. Despite police efforts to block the route, the protest persisted, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds, including students, elderly citizens, and families. The scene mirrored past movements, with some comparing the gathering to the anti-corruption protests led by Anna Hazare, marking a rare moment of collective defiance in the capital. The protest began on Sunday evening and grew steadily throughout the night. By Monday, the area near Jantar Mantar was densely packed, with crowds stretching beyond the designated protest zone. The Delhi Police, citing security concerns, denied permission for the march to proceed toward Parliament. In response, they deployed barricades and enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, using tear gas and lathi charges to contain the crowd. Five central Delhi metro stations were closed, roads sealed, and mobile internet restricted in certain zones. Commuters and protesters alike found themselves stranded, with some reporting delays and difficulty accessing basic services. Among the demonstrators was Shreeja, a second-year student from Thiruvananthapuram University College, who traveled by train from Kerala. She and her companions faced logistical challenges, unable to store belongings due to the closure of South Delhi residences. Others, like Narendranath Mishra, a chartered accountant, returned to the same site where he once joined the Lokpal protests. His daughter, now living elsewhere, asked him repeatedly about the developments. The emotional weight of the gathering was palpable, with participants expressing both hope and frustration. The CJP, led by hunger-striker Sonam Wangchuk, urged supporters to maintain peace, emphasizing that victory would come through nonviolent means. However, tensions simmered as allegations surfaced that authorities were preparing legal action against the protesters. Some claimed that police had broken the windows of a vehicle near the site, creating a pretext for escalation. Neeraj Anand, a 23-year-old from Laxmi Nagar, accused the government of using such tactics to justify a crackdown. “This shows the government is nervous even though the protestors are peaceful,” he said. The protest centers on alleged malpractice in the NEET exam, which has sparked widespread anger over perceived unfairness in India’s education system. While the immediate political target appears to be Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the broader demand is for systemic reform. Meanwhile, political figures like Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut have amplified the movement, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to recite Vande Mataram without a teleprompter. Raut criticized the government for underestimating the scale of the protests, calling the CJP a formidable force that has gained traction across major cities. As the situation unfolds, the government faces mounting pressure to address public grievances. With the Monsoon Session of Parliament approaching, the debate over education policy and the rule of law continues to intensify. Activists remain resolute, determined to push for change, even as the lines between protest and political maneuvering blur. The days ahead will likely see further clashes, legal battles, and calls for dialogue, shaping the trajectory of one of Delhi’s most contentious social movements.