Abhijeet Dipke detained by Delhi Police amid CJP's Sansad Chalo protest

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police on Monday, party spokesperson Saurav Das said, as the organisation's "Sansad Chalo" protest over examination reforms gathered pace in the national capital.

"Police brutally cracking down and beating up peaceful protesters, request MPs to stand in support of students on streets," Saurav Das said.

The detention came shortly after Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.

Dipke's detention came shortly after he ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital.

Thousands of protesters, including students and job aspirants from different states, marched towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The demonstrations, which began over alleged examination paper leaks, gathered momentum following Wangchuk's hunger strike.

Large parts of central Delhi witnessed severe traffic disruption as police erected multiple barricades and deployed additional personnel to prevent protesters from reaching Parliament.

Police use teargas and lathis as protesters press ahead

Clashes broke out after protesters attempted to breach barricades at several locations, including near Constitution Club, Patel Chowk, Shastri Bhawan, the RBI Building and Parliament Street. Police used teargas and lathis to disperse the crowds, while some protesters and police personnel sustained injuries.

According to witnesses, groups of protesters navigated through narrow lanes, walked several kilometres and repeatedly regrouped after being stopped. Many attempted to bypass security barricades to continue towards Parliament despite the heavy police presence.

Internet services were suspended in large parts of the protest zone, while access to several nearby Delhi Metro stations was restricted as a precaution. Some commuters were stranded after station gates were closed.

Security across the New Delhi district was strengthened with additional police personnel and paramilitary forces, including reserve companies, deployed to maintain law and order as the situation escalated.

Wangchuk seeks temporary release from hospital

From Safdarjung Hospital, Sonam Wangchuk requested the medical superintendent to allow him to leave the hospital, even temporarily, so that he could join the Parliament march. He said he was "feeling very fine" and that his health parameters were normal.

Earlier in the day, the hospital said Wangchuk remained under continuous medical supervision.

"Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive comprehensive medical care at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters remain stable. Blood parameters continue to warrant close clinical observation. Wangchuk remains under continuous medical management and the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts," the hospital said in a health bulletin issued at 10 am.

Protesters seek accountability over examination irregularities

The protesters are demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Crowds carrying the national flag gathered at multiple locations, raising slogans including "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Vande Mataram" and "Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do".

Earlier, police halted the march near Connaught Place as protesters attempted to advance towards Parliament. Smaller groups later regrouped at nearby intersections and continued raising slogans while police maintained barricades.

Before his detention, Dipke, who had been on hunger strike after Wangchuk was admitted to hospital, reiterated the CJP's demands.

"Our demands are clear: Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. The families of the children who committed suicide should receive compensation of 1 crore rupees, and Sonam Wangchuk should be released immediately," he said.

A protester from Maharashtra said he had travelled to Delhi solely to join the demonstration, arguing that quality education was essential for the country's future and calling for greater accountability.

A government job aspirant from Bihar said many young people had spent years preparing for competitive examinations and deserved transparency in the examination system.

Parliament disrupted; opposition reacts

The protests coincided with the first day of Parliament's Monsoon Session. Proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted by repeated adjournments as opposition members raised the CJP-led agitation, which began at Jantar Mantar.

The CJP said the government had reached out for talks and that two party spokespersons would meet Union Minister J P Nadda to present their demands. There was no official confirmation from the government.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the government for not allowing a discussion in Parliament on issues including the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the NEET UG paper leak. He said Parliament should remain a forum where elected representatives can raise public concerns rather than merely pass legislation.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the government's handling of the protests and urged the Centre to engage with the demonstrators instead of using force.

"The entire youth of the country has gathered in lakhs at Jantar Mantar. Instead of listening to them, the government is ordering lathi charges against them. This is not right," Kejriwal said in a video message posted on X.