Violence Erupts During CJP's Parliament March in Delhi, Police Fire Tear Gas

New Delhi: A protest march called by the Cockroach Janata Party turned violent in Delhi on Monday. What began as a demonstration demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak spiralled into clashes across multiple locations. Protesters broke through police barricades and reached close to the Parliament building. Stones were pelted at police. Police vehicles were vandalised. Tear gas was fired at several locations. Several police personnel were injured in the clashes.

How did the protest build up?

CJP had been sitting at Jantar Mantar since June 20 demanding action over the NEET paper leak. The march to Parliament was announced for July 20. Crowds had been thin for much of the agitation but things changed on Saturday when police hospitalised climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijit Deepak began his own hunger strike. From that point the crowds swelled. By Monday the turnout was so large that police arrangements proved inadequate.

What happened near parliament?

Most CJP leaders including Abhijit Deepak stayed back at Jantar Mantar while their supporters began marching towards Parliament. Protesters broke through barricades and pushed dangerously close to the Parliament building. Clashes broke out near Rail Bhawan. Police fired tear gas shells and drove the crowd back.

What happened at Connaught Place?

After being pushed back from Parliament Street and Kartavya Path, protesters regrouped at Connaught Place. Thousands gathered near Palika Bazaar, Regal Cinema and Central Park, raising slogans continuously. Police kept trying to clear them. Some in the crowd turned violent and began pelting stones at police. Police vehicles were damaged in the vandalism. Tear gas was used again and police resorted to mild force to bring the situation under control.

What happened on Firoz Shah Road?

According to news agency ANI, protesters also threw stones at police on Firoz Shah Road. Police acted swiftly and brought that crowd under control as well using tear gas. Several Delhi Police personnel sustained injuries in the clashes across different locations through the day.

What did Delhi Police say?

Additional Commissioner of Police Rajeev Ranjan appealed for calm. He asked all protesters to maintain peace, exercise restraint and cooperate with police in preserving law and order. He urged people not to participate in any unlawful or violent activity and to follow lawful directions of police personnel on duty. Police also warned the public not to believe or spread rumours, misinformation or unverified content on any platform and asked citizens to rely only on credible sources for information.