Delhi Police Clash With Cockroach Janta Party Protesters

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organized a massive 'Chalo Sansad' march to the Indian Parliament on July 20, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The youth-led movement, which grew from satirical online campaigns, protested alleged systemic corruption and paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2026 examination that reportedly led to numerous student suicides.

Security forces responded with lathi-charges, tear gas, and water cannons to prevent protesters from breaching barricades near Parliament and Jantar Mantar. The clashes resulted in approximately 178 injuries, including 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters. Authorities implemented internet shutdowns across central Delhi and closed several metro stations to manage the unrest. Approximately 70 individuals were detained, though the Delhi Police denied allegations of excessive brutality.

The agitation was galvanized by the forced hospitalization of activist Sonam Wangchuk on July 18 after a 21-day hunger strike. Wangchuk continued his fast from Safdarjung Hospital, conditioning its end on government accountability for education failures. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke initially began a solidarity fast but ended it on July 20 to lead the march.

Following the violence, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda met with CJP representatives to receive a memorandum demanding Pradhan's resignation, Wangchuk's release, and ₹1 crore compensation for the families of deceased students. While Nadda urged the end of the sit-in to restore normalcy, CJP leaders claimed the talks lacked firm commitments. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, condemned the police crackdown as an attack on democracy.