The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar shook the government. Many were injured and continued their protest over justice, where the 20-year-old woman injured during police action at the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. She is on ventilator support after reportedly colliding with a police barricade during the crackdown, according to hospital sources. According to sources, 90 students were injured during Monday’s protests in the national capital. The woman was reportedly hurt after colliding with a barricade during the police crackdown at Jantar Mantar. By Tuesday morning, 79 injured students had been discharged from hospitals.
Chaos erupted during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march as thousands of supporters and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Protesters demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, seeking accountability and immediate government action.
Delhi Police stated clashes left over 118 police personnel and nearly 60 protesters injured, while more than 20 police vehicles were damaged. Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited Ram Manohar Lohia and Lady Hardinge hospitals on Tuesday, met injured protesters, reviewed their condition, and discussed their treatment with doctors at RML Hospital. He also assessed medical arrangements during the visit.
CJP Delegation Meets JP Nadda
Two CJP representatives met Nadda on Monday. Party spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka demanded three measures: unconditional release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, and Rs 1 crore compensation for families of NEET aspirants allegedly driven to suicide after the 2026 paper leak controversy. They said these steps were essential for justice and accountability nationwide.
Nadda urged protesters to end their month-long Jantar Mantar sit-in and help restore normalcy around Parliament. He also said discussions with the CJP delegation were positive and had gone well. Nadda said on X that talks were held cordially. He stated the CJP had requested dialogue with the government and submitted a written memorandum after detailed discussions with representatives.
Protest Continues Unabated
Despite Monday’s clashes, protesters returned to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday after the CJP urged them to continue the agitation. Although police removed the stage and tents, demonstrators reoccupied the site. Heavy deployment of Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel remained across the area as the protest gained broader political attention.
Seeking to intensify pressure on the government, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi led a protest march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday. Congress also announced legal assistance for those arrested, detained, or allegedly assaulted during the ongoing protests across the national capital.
Police Register Multiple Cases
Delhi Police has registered four FIRs so far over Monday’s violence and is preparing to file two more, sources said. The cases have been lodged at Parliament Street, Connaught Place and other police stations. They include charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act for alleged violence, vandalism and related offences during the march. Security has since been strengthened across the national capital.
PM Defends Government’s Response
The NEET protest issue was discussed during the NDA Parliamentary Party’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister informed MPs that the government acted promptly after the paper leak surfaced, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of 13 accused individuals. The PM also said the government had prioritised conducting the NEET re-examination so that students’ futures were not adversely affected and that the examination had been completed successfully, with results declared without delay.
Rijiju quoted PM Modi as saying that those responsible for paper leaks should receive the strictest possible punishment and that the country’s best legal expertise should be used to ensure exemplary action against those involved.