High-voltage Drama Outside Rahul Gandhi's Residence As Jantar Mantar Protest Continues Despite Police Action

New Delhi: The student protest under the banner of the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) continues unabated at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. On July 20, during the "Chalo Parliament" (March to Parliament) rally, thousands of students and youths clashed with the Delhi Police while attempting to march towards Parliament. The police resorted to barricading, lathi-charges, and the use of tear gas, leaving dozens of protesters and police personnel injured.

Despite their tents being dismantled, the protesters returned and are continuing their sit-in protest even amidst the monsoon rains. Sonam Wangchuk remains steadfast on his hunger strike—even while hospitalized—demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

What is the current status of the CJP movement?

The movement has now spread beyond Delhi to major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The protests are largely driven by 'Gen Z' and students who have taken to the streets to voice concerns over flaws in the education system, unemployment, and their own futures. Abhijit Deepke, the founder of CJP, has clearly stated that the agitation will continue indefinitely.

The movement has also stirred up political activity. The entire INDIA bloc, including the Congress party, has extended its support to the students. Several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, raised questions in Parliament regarding the NEET examination, staged protests wearing black attire, and reiterated demands for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

MPs accompanying Rahul Gandhi on the bus include Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT), Supriya Sule (NCP-Sharad Pawar), Mahua Moitra and Saugata Roy (TMC), Mahua Maji (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Misa Bharti and Sanjay Yadav (RJD), John Brittas (CPM), P. Santosh Kumar (CPI), Ramji Lal Suman (Samajwadi Party), and E.T. Mohammed Basheer (IUML).

What did Rahul Gandhi and Congress do?

Rahul Gandhi's bus came to a halt after moving forward just about 10 meters. A white bus has been parked across the road, blocking the path ahead. Paramilitary forces and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed at the site. Heavy barricading has been put in place outside Rahul Gandhi's residence. Given the prevailing situation, it is considered unlikely that Rahul Gandhi's bus will be permitted to proceed beyond his residence. Two Delhi Police buses are also stationed behind the Congress convoy. Meanwhile, the police are making continuous announcements over loudspeakers.

Rahul Gandhi stated that MPs and leaders of the 'INDIA' alliance are heading to Gandhi Smriti. In a post on X, he wrote, "MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are currently proceeding peacefully to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We are going to pay tribute to the students we have lost—the young ones driven to take their own lives following the NEET paper leak. We also stand in solidarity with the students who are injured today—those beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. The students of India are not alone; the entire opposition stands with them and their demands."