CJP says thousands gather at Jantar Mantar, warns ‘millions more will join’ protest

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday said thousands of protesters had gathered at Jantar Mantar, with party spokespersons claiming the crowd would continue to grow unless the Centre accepted its demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in NEET.

Heavy security remained in place across central Delhi, including around Parliament House and Rafi Marg, as protesters continued their sit-in after returning to Jantar Mantar following Monday’s police action.

According to reports, six FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence and vandalism during Monday’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. Delhi Police is reportedly probing what it suspects could be a “larger criminal conspiracy” behind the unrest.

Meanwhile, Congress units held protests in several states, including Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, condemning the police action against students and the detention of party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during Tuesday’s demonstration outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also detained during the protest.

Separately, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who remains on an indefinite fast, was shifted to Gurugram’s Medanta Hospital following directions from the Delhi High Court. Union ministers Jitendra Singh and J.P. Nadda visited the hospital to enquire about his health.

Violence during ‘Chalo Sansad’ march

At least 70 protesters were detained during Monday’s march, while the CJP and the Aam Aadmi Party announced free legal aid for those arrested.

Despite prohibitory orders, barricades, metro station closures and internet restrictions, thousands of demonstrators marched towards Parliament, leading to clashes in several parts of central Delhi. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, and several protesters were injured, with some admitted to hospitals.

Delhi Police said 118 personnel were injured and alleged that protesters attacked security forces with stones and other objects after violating prohibitory orders.

Pradhan attacks Congress

Reacting to the Opposition’s protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, Dharmendra Pradhan accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of using students for political purposes.

He said the government remained fully prepared to discuss the NEET issue in Parliament, but alleged that the Congress preferred “political spectacle over democratic debate.”

“The students of India deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign,” Pradhan said, adding that the Centre remained committed to addressing students’ concerns and strengthening the examination system.