CJP protest highlights: CJP volunteer stands atop police vehicle, urges people against stone pelting

CJP protest highlights: Cockroach Janta Party on Wednesday said thousands of protesters had gathered at the Jantar Mantar

CJP protest highlights: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday claimed that the Centre had assured him it would "positively consider" the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as part of efforts to ensure accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak. He added that he will end his hunger strike if government assures of no legal action against protestors. "I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. Their only "offence" has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system," he said in a letter to the government.

Delhi HC seeks response from police, Centre over use of force on protestors during CJP march

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Centre and the Delhi Police over use of force, and listed the matter for further hearing on September 11.

The court began hearing two petitions seeking an SIT probe into the alleged excessive use of force by the Delhi Police against protesters during the CJP's march. Advocates argued that police used force at peaceful protestors without any warning and urged the court to summon Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba for physically assaulting a woman standing on the sidelines during the protest.

Opposing the petitions, the Delhi Police contended that the so-called peaceful protest did not remain peaceful and that there are videos showing police personnel being injured.

"The so-called peaceful agitation did not remain peaceful. There are videos showing that police personnel were injured. The crowd became unruly and resorted to violence, and violence cannot be permitted. There are videos showing members of the crowd throwing stones.

CJP says ‘ready to talk’ with govt

CJP on Wednesday said it was “ready to talk” with the government “at a neutral location”. “They have called us. We will not go their office or their residence. The talks will either happen at Jantar Mantar or at a neutral location. We are open for talks right from day one,” Das said.

He added that there could be a “security issue” if the ministers visit Jantar Mantar. “We can meet at Constitution Club of India,” Das said. Earlier, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka had confirmed that they had received communication from the police on the matter. Union minister JP Nadda is likely to meet the CJP delegation.

Oppn, CJP urges Wangchuk to end hunger strike

A delegation of Opposition MPs visited Medanta Hospital on Wednesday to urge activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike.

CJP and its founder Abhijeet Dipke also urged the climate activist to end his hunger strike, saying the movement will continue until demands are met.

CJP protest continues at Jantar Mantar

Cockroach Janta Party on Wednesday said thousands of protesters had gathered at the Jantar Mantar, with spokesperson Saurav Das sharing visuals of the crowd swelling at the protest site. Speaking to ANI news agency, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed “millions more will come” if the government doesn't agree to their demands. Meanwhile, the ministry of home affairs ordered the immediate deployment of 20 additional CRPF companies to Delhi. The CRPF companies are being brought in from West Bengal.

Heavy barricading continues at various areas in Delhi, including Parliament House and Rafi Marg, even as the Cockroach Janta Party continues its protest at the Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in NEET. A total of six FIRs have been filed so far over the alleged violence and vandalism during the protest march held by the CJP on Monday, at Parliament Street, Connaught Place and other police stations, with police likely to probe a "larger and criminal conspiracy" behind the matter, PTI news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Congress units across the country, including in Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam, staged a protest over the police lathi-charge on students and the detention of party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Raul, Priyanka and other Congress leaders staged a protest outside the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also detained for the dharna outside PM Narendra Modi's residence.

Several protesters detained, injured after police action in ‘Chalo Sansad’ march

At least 70 protesters were detained during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest march on Monday. Following this the CJP, Aam Aadmi Party and others assured free legal aid to the student protesters who were detained.

Tens of thousands of protesters joined the call for the march to Parliament. The Delhi Police had not given the nod for the march and Section 163 of the BNSS was imposed. Despite barricades on key roads, metro station closures and suspension of mobile internet, protesters converged on Jantar Mantar before moving towards Parliament.

By afternoon, areas including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Raisina Road, India Gate and Ashoka Road had turned into confrontation zones as police used batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, HT reported earlier. Several protesters were injured and admitted to Lady Hardinge and RML Hospitals, with one woman receiving treatment in the ICU of the latter medical facility.

The Delhi Police said 118 personnel were injured during the march, and claimed that protesters had displayed “unruly” and violent behaviour by attacking personnel with stones and other objects while violating prohibitory orders despite repeated warnings.

Dharmendra Pradhan reacts to Cong protest

Union education minister Pradhan lashed out at the protest staged by the Congress outside PM's residence, claiming that the party was “exploiting students as political tools to manufacture disruption” during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

“Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon'ble Prime Minister's residence , causing inconvenience to the public and disregarding established security protocols,” Pradhan said in a post on X. He alleged that Congress “political spectacle over democratic debate” despite the government being ready for a discussion. “For Rahul Gandhi, this is not about students. This is about manufacturing confrontation after every genuine avenue for discussion has been opened,” Pradhan said.

The union minister said the government “remains 100% committed to discussing NEET and addressing every genuine concern of our youth on the floor of the House”. He added that the students deserve “far better than being treated as props in a political campaign.”