Peaceful CJP protest turns violent: Stone-pelting, tear gas, 50+ Delhi Police personnel injured; students lathi-charged [Shocking visuals]

A protest march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi on Monday turned violent after thousands of demonstrators attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, triggering clashes with security personnel.

What began as a rally demanding accountability over examination-related irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan soon escalated into chaos. Protesters allegedly breached barricades, prompting police to use tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the crowd. The violence left more than 50 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel injured, including over five IPS officers, while several protesters also sustained injuries. More than 70 people were detained in connection with the clashes.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma said, "There was an unlawful assembly that had to be dealt with. There were some incidents of stone-pelting, and the Delhi Police have detained some protesters. Appropriate action is being taken."

Heavy security had been deployed across central Delhi ahead of the protest. Barricades were installed at multiple locations, including Tolstoy Marg and the Kerala House side of Jantar Mantar, with only a narrow entry point left open. Riot control vehicles and a large police contingent remained on standby throughout the day.

The Delhi Police had earlier imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma had also clarified on X that no permission had been sought or granted for the "Sansad Chalo" march.

Despite intermittent rain, thousands of supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar before attempting to march towards Parliament. As police blocked the main route, groups of protesters moved through nearby lanes, drawing more supporters along the way. Clashes intensified near Constitution Club, Patel Chowk, Shastri Bhawan, the RBI Building and Parliament Street, where police resorted to tear gas and baton charges. Internet services were also suspended in parts of central Delhi during the operation.

Authorities said two Delhi Police buses were damaged in stone-pelting, while some shops along Janpath were also vandalised.

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke briefly fainted during the sit-in at Jantar Mantar and was escorted away by fellow protesters. Before collapsing, he sarcastically addressed the police, saying, "Well done, sir, you did really well; used your batons very well."

Earlier in the day, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, reiterated the conditions under which he would end his fast. In a handwritten note, Wangchuk said he would call off the strike if the government accepted accountability for recent failures in the education system, including paper leaks, or if Members of Parliament assured him they would raise the issue during the Monsoon Session. If his health prevented him from attending Parliament, he said MPs could visit him at the hospital and provide the assurance.

Following the violence, Delhi Police launched a multi-pronged investigation, registering multiple FIRs and examining CCTV footage, mobile phone videos and other digital evidence to identify those involved in the clashes, damage to public property and attacks on security personnel.

Investigators are also probing whether the violence was pre-planned or part of a larger conspiracy. Police sources said the identities and affiliations of those detained are being verified, claiming that several of those taken into custody were not students despite the protest being projected as a movement over examination-related issues.

Another key focus of the probe is the role of social media in escalating tensions. According to police sources, several misleading and inflammatory posts circulated before and during the protest. Investigators are examining multiple social media accounts, including some allegedly operated from Pakistan, that amplified unverified claims. One widely circulated post falsely alleged that seven protesters had been killed, 391 people injured and 250 arrested. Officials said these claims were baseless and appeared intended to create panic and fuel unrest.

Delhi Police is coordinating with cyber experts to trace the origin of such posts and determine whether there was a coordinated online misinformation campaign. Officials added that if the investigation establishes the involvement of any political organisation or individual in planning, instigating or financing the violence, legal action will be taken irrespective of political affiliation.