A 20-year-old woman injured during clashes between police and protesters at the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) demonstration in Delhi has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, according to sources. The woman remains on ventilator support after suffering injuries during the police crackdown at Jantar Mantar while protesters were attempting to march towards Parliament.
Sources said around 90 students were injured during Monday’s protest, with the woman reportedly colliding with a barricade during the police action. By Tuesday morning, 79 injured students had been discharged from hospitals. The protest, organised as part of the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, saw thousands of students and supporters gather to demand action over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
The situation escalated when protesters attempted to move from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, leading to clashes with security personnel. Delhi Police said more than 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters were injured during the confrontation. The force also reported damage to over 20 police vehicles during the unrest.
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Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital on Tuesday to meet injured protesters and review their medical condition. He also held discussions with doctors regarding the treatment of those admitted. The visits came a day after widespread clashes broke out during the protest over demands for accountability in the examination controversy.
A CJP delegation comprising party representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Nadda on Monday to present their demands. The delegation sought the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the paper leak controversy. Nadda said the discussions took place in a cordial atmosphere and urged protesters to end their month-long sit-in near Parliament.
Despite the clashes, protesters returned to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, with police maintaining a heavy security presence in the area. Delhi Police has registered four FIRs related to Monday’s violence and is preparing additional cases under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Meanwhile, political reactions intensified, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra leading a march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. Prime Minister Modi also defended the government’s response, saying strict action had been taken against those responsible for paper leaks, with arrests made and measures taken to protect students’ futures.
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