Police block thousands of 'cockroach' protesters marching on India's parliament ands of people attended Monday's protests Thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led protest movement seeking education and employment reforms, defied a police ban and tried to march on parliament to demand India's education minister resign.Police wielding canes used tear gas to disperse crowds in central Delhi. Several demonstrators said they were injured in the cane charges. Some in the crowd threw stones, reports said.
The march followed weeks of protests over alleged exam paper leaks and accusations of a wider education system crisis.The movement has broadened into one of the most visible expressions of public dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years. reported between the police and protesters in some placesIt gathered fresh momentum over the weekend after police forcibly moved activist Sonam Wangchuk into hospital on the 21st day of a hunger strike in support of the movement. His wife says his fast continues. On Monday, Wangchuk appealed to doctors to discharge him so he could join the march but was not allowed.The movement takes its name from a remark by India's chief justice, who drew criticism after comparing sections of unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during a court hearing.
Although police had made clear protesters would not be given permission to march to parliament, tens of thousands of students, parents, teachers and professionals gathered from early morning at Jantar Mantar, a 300-year-old observatory in central Delhi, and remained there despite heavy rain.It remains unclear whether the CJP will call off its protest or try to continue the sit-in. By late evening police had completely dismantled the protest site.The contrast between it and the security outside was striking. Young people draped in Indian flags queued for food, painted placards and posed for photographs, while rows of police and paramilitary personnel sealed every road to parliament around them.Volunteers handed out food and water, patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers and organisers repeatedly urged supporters not to confront police if they were stopped. arch began from Jantar Mantar, where thousands have been camping for weeksAs the march began, protesters spilled onto the streets before being halted at successive barricades.
Many sat on the road waving flags and shouting slogans. Others broke away in smaller groups, trying to reach parliament through narrow side streets.Inside parliament, meanwhile, the opening day of the monsoon session was repeatedly adjourned as opposition MPs protested over the alleged paper leak and other issues.As police pushed back groups trying to breach the barricades, the first reports of injuries began to emerge.Some protesters returned to Jantar Mantar bleeding from the head or limping, while others were carried back by fellow demonstrators. Authorities also suspended mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi, leaving many without reliable access to messaging apps or social media. vy police deployment, with barricades and personnel stopping protesters from marching"We've treated at least 10 people," volunteer doctor Gaurish Batra told the BBC while bandaging the head of a man whose shirt collar was soaked in blood.
A woman with a suspected broken leg was also brought in for treatment.Both alleged they had been injured in police baton charges. The BBC has contacted Delhi Police for comment.By early afternoon, two CJP representatives met Health Minister JP Nadda after waiting outside his residence for about two hours. According to CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, they submitted a letter setting out the group's demands.
Das said Nadda assured them he would raise the matter within the government.Shortly after, Nadda posted on X, urging protesters to end their demonstration and help restore "normalcy" in the capital.Neither the meeting, nor the statement, did much to ease tensions. Thousands remained at Jantar Mantar, hoping they would eventually be allowed to continue the march. were led by Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of CJPWhen the rain arrived, it barely interrupted the protest. Volunteers stretched blue tarpaulins over small groups as chants continued and soaked demonstrators waited for news from the police barricades.Among those who had travelled to Delhi was commercial pilot Samrat Khanna, who said he had swapped flying duties to attend the march."I felt I had to be here," he said.
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