The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday began its proposed march towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged question paper leaks in competitive examinations. The protest coincided with the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session, prompting heavy security deployment across central Delhi as authorities sought to prevent demonstrators from reaching the Parliament complex.
Despite light rain at Jantar Mantar, hundreds of protesters gathered from the morning hours, with patriotic songs such as "Rang De Basanti" and "Jai Ho" being played at the protest site. The drizzle did little to dampen the mood, as supporters continued raising slogans and preparing to march. The demonstration followed weeks of agitation over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations.
A large contingent of Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and central security personnel was deployed around the protest venue and key routes leading towards Parliament. Police erected multiple barricades and maintained strict vigil to prevent any unauthorised procession from entering high-security areas. Officials repeatedly appealed to protesters to cooperate with security arrangements and avoid breaching the restrictions imposed in the area.
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According to reports, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma addressed CJP leader and journalist Sourav Das at around 8 am. The officer reportedly warned organisers about the possibility of a stampede if the gathering continued to swell and urged them to help maintain order. Police maintained that crowd control measures were necessary to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incident during the protest.
CJP leaders, however, claimed that discussions were held with the police regarding the planned march and insisted that their demonstration would remain peaceful. Protest organisers reiterated that their primary demand was accountability over alleged examination paper leaks and called on supporters to continue their agitation while maintaining discipline. The party also urged participants to avoid violence and cooperate with volunteers managing the crowd.
Security remained heightened across the national capital as authorities closely monitored the evolving situation. The Delhi Police had earlier declined permission for the Parliament march, citing security concerns and restrictions on large public gatherings. With protesters continuing to assemble at Jantar Mantar, officials remained on alert to prevent the march from advancing towards Parliament while ensuring law and order throughout the day.
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