- Students answered the call of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a new youth-led movement challenging the government, to protest for education reforms.
- Despite security measures including metro closures and internet restrictions, protesters marched on parliament and faced tear gas and baton charges, vowing “now or never” until the education minister resigns.
- Abhijeet Dipke, CJP president, apologised to supporters, particularly women, for being “brutally beaten” by police, stating he could have done better to protect them.
- Sonam Wangchuk announced he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, citing police action against protesters as reason to extend the fast.
- During the “Sansad Chalo” protest, 118 police personnel were injured and 70 protesters were detained; police accused protesters of violent behaviour.
- Thousands of protesters overwhelmed police and reached Parliament's doorstep despite barricades, 3,000 security personnel, and an internet shutdown, before being tear-gassed and lathi-charged.
- The protest was sparked by a paper leak scandal and 12 student suicides, with protesters referencing the deaths.
- CJP accused Delhi Police of using excessive force, alleging Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J. Angmo was pushed around; police denied the assault as “completely false and misleading”.
- After police dismantled the stage at Jantar Mantar, CJP continued its protest with a sit-in near Kerala House.
Thousands of students rallied in New Delhi under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding justice for peers affected by a recent education scandal. The protest, dubbed “Sansad Chalo,” escalated into violence as police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.12
Protesters, including 18-year-old Anshuka Ruth Das, voiced their anger over the suicide of 12 students linked to the scandal. “We are here for those kids who died by suicide,” she stated, emphasizing the urgency of their cause. CJP president Abhijeet Dipke condemned police brutality, apologizing to supporters for the violence they faced. “I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police,” he posted on X.6
Despite extensive security measures, including barricades and an internet shutdown, the protesters managed to reach Parliament. A senior government official noted that police were overwhelmed by the sheer number of demonstrators. “Delhi Police and other security personnel were outnumbered and taken aback by thousands of protesters,” he said.345
The situation intensified as police reported over 118 injuries among their ranks and detained around 70 protesters. The CJP accused authorities of using excessive force, with reports of injuries among students and the mistreatment of prominent activists. The protests reflect a growing discontent among youth against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant moment in India's political landscape.12
“At least 118 police personnel were injured and 70 protesters detained during the march, as CJP president Abhijeet Dipke apologised for the police's 'brutal' treatment of female supporters. Separately, the protest was sparked by a paper leak scandal that led to 12 student suicides, with protesters vowing to continue until the education minister resigns.”
