Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticised the government’s handling of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital, saying that using tear gas and baton charges against students is neither democratic nor in line with India’s values. His remarks came after Delhi Police used crowd-control measures as protesters attempted to march towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in major examinations.

In a video message, Gandhi said the protesting students were raising concerns about their rights and called the police action unacceptable. He said young people demanding a fair and effective education system should not be treated as criminals, adding that issues related to examination systems, paper leaks and technical problems require attention from authorities.

The protest took place after activist Sonam Wangchuk was reportedly taken to a hospital following a 21-day hunger strike linked to concerns raised by the youth movement and the CJP. The satirical political group has gained significant attention on social media while highlighting dissatisfaction over issues related to education reforms and unemployment.

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The CJP alleged that peaceful protesters faced police action during the march and questioned the use of tear gas against demonstrators. Parts of central New Delhi reportedly witnessed internet restrictions during the protests, while police officials stated that permission had not been granted for the demonstration.

Gandhi also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to engage with the protesters and address their concerns. He said young people across the country are frustrated with the functioning of the education system and called for dialogue instead of force. He also raised broader political concerns regarding the management of educational institutions.

Meanwhile, representatives of the CJP held discussions with Union Minister JP Nadda after the government reached out to the protesters. Nadda said the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and that the delegation submitted a written petition outlining its demands. He urged protesters to end the sit-in and cooperate with authorities to restore normalcy.

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