The protest led by the satirical platform Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, a day after dramatic scenes erupted in the national capital during a march towards Parliament. Protesters returned early in the morning at the protest site after the group called for the demonstration to go on.
The development came as police took away the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar after Monday’s clashes between protesters and security personnel. Heavy deployment of Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel remained at the site as students and other protesters gathered again.
The ‘Sansad Chalo’ march Monday saw massive confrontations with thousands of students taking to the streets. Police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the crowd and the protest eventually led to police action. Over 100 police and more than 60 protesters were injured during the clashes, police sources said.
Police estimated 70 protesters were detained in the march. There were also FIRs filed against unknown individuals for alleged violence and vandalism.
The Delhi Police accused the protesters of acting “unruly, aggressive and violent” in their complaint. The police also claimed that repeated warnings and lawful directions to disperse were ignored and that protesters defied prohibitory orders.
The protesters have accused the police of using excessive force. Some students were injured during the police’s actions to disperse the crowd, they said.
After the unrest, the government began talks with the protest leaders on Monday. Union Health Minister JP Nadda met CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at his home. The leaders of the protest showed the government a list of demands and urged the government to act.
CJP delegation demanded the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk without restrictions on his movement, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of Rs 1 crore for NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the controversy surrounding the NEET 2026 paper leaks.
Nadda said he received a written petition from the protest leaders. He later said the discussion began after the CJP approached the government seeking talks.
CJP’s spokesperson Saurav Das said the minister had assured them that the demands would be discussed at the appropriate level. But he said no concrete commitments had been made and that the protesters would continue their agitation until their demands were addressed.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk has also announced that he will continue his indefinite hunger strike. Wangchuk said he would end his fast only after youth leaders were allowed to meet Members of Parliament or MPs were allowed to meet him at the hospital where he is undergoing treatment.
His wife Gitanjali Angmo shared a handwritten message from the activist on social media expressing solidarity with the protesting students.
As the CJP protest continues at Jantar Mantar and Wangchuk continues his hunger strike, pressure is mounting on the government to respond to the protesters’ demands. The high security presence at the protest site reflects the increasing tension on the back of Monday’s clash and the two sides continue to give very different accounts of the events.
