Security personnel were seen rushing to “physically secured” the massive iron gates of the Parliament complex and taking position on Monday amid the swelling protest of Cockroach Janta Party happening just kilometres away — at Jantar Mantar – amid the commencement of Monsoon Session.
Amid the CJP's proposed march to Parliament, a multi-tiered security lockdown was reportedly put to place to prevent the thousands of marching protesters from breaching the area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after addressing the media on the first day of the Monsoon Session, left the Parliament premises. Track July 20 Jantar Mantar protest updates here
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical outfit-turned-mega movement was floated by Boston University graduate Abhijeet Dipke in May, a day after CJI's remarks referring to certain section of youths as cockroaches. While Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant clarified the remarks, the outfit gained major support on social media and offline, especially from the youth.
{{/usCountry}}Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical outfit-turned-mega movement was floated by Boston University graduate Abhijeet Dipke in May, a day after CJI's remarks referring to certain section of youths as cockroaches. While Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant clarified the remarks, the outfit gained major support on social media and offline, especially from the youth.
{{/usCountry}}A faceoff between CJP protesters and security personnel erupted on Monday at the outfit's ongoing Jantar Mantar protest against irregularities in country's major examinations — an agitation which activist Sonam Wangchuk has been on an hunger strike over since June 28.
Wangchuk was on Saturday picked up by Delhi Police personnel from the protest site amid his deteriorating health and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, escalating the protest call of the CJP.
Security personnel use tear gas shells, baton-charging to disperse crowd
Security personnel used tear gas shells and baton-charging, even as protesters advanced near the Parliament premises. Hundreds of protesters continued to march from Connaught Place towards Jantar Mantar and Parliament House, and reached the Raisina Road area near the Reserve Bank of India.
The personnel also tried the disperse the crowd near Shastri Bhawan, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel continuing across central Delhi to prevent any breach of security. Internet was also snapped across parts of Central Delhi, with people allegedly receiving messages saying the services had been dropped according to government instructions. The CJP shared a video of the alleged tear gas shelling at protesters, questioning its use.
“Is this a war zone? Why is the police resorting to tear gas assault on peaceful protesters?” the CJP questioned in a post on X. “Sir @narendramodi have you decided we are no longer a democracy? First your govt ignored this protest for a month and now when we are peacefully marching your govt is attacking us. Why?” it added.
In another video shared to its X handle, the outfit claimed visuals from Parliament had shown “security forces taking firing positions.” Sharing the video, CJP said, “Please don’t shoot at our country’s youth. They’re not making any unreasonable demands. They just want accountability for students dying because of govt incompetence!” “How can this be the response?” they further questioned.