New Delhi: Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) assembled at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday for the proposed 'Chalo Sansad' march, despite Delhi Police denying permission for the protest and imposing heightened security across the capital.

Large numbers of police personnel were deployed around the barricaded protest site, while security was intensified in the vicinity of Parliament as the Monsoon Session got underway.

The CJP has called for the march to press for sweeping reforms in the education system, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and action over alleged examination paper leaks.

Protests gather momentum

Protesters, who identify themselves as "cockroaches", have been camping at Jantar Mantar for nearly a month. The movement, which gained prominence after the Supreme Court Chief Justice likened some unemployed youth to "cockroaches" during an unrelated hearing, has since evolved into a satirical campaign that has attracted widespread attention on social media.

The protests gathered further momentum after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike at the site, was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday following a deterioration in his health.

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The demonstrators are demanding reforms to the examination system, accountability over repeated leaks of entrance examination papers and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the controversies.

Ahead of the march, Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike only if the government accepted responsibility for failures in the education system and examination paper leaks, or if political leaders assured him the issues would be raised in Parliament.

Metro stations closed

Delhi Police said the proposed march had not been authorised and cited security arrangements for the Monsoon Session of Parliament as the reason for restricting the protest.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) temporarily closed five Metro stations as a precautionary measure.

In a post on X, the DMRC said Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth Metro stations would remain closed until further instructions.

Authorities said elaborate security arrangements, including multi-layered barricading, vehicle checks and additional deployment of police personnel, had been put in place across central Delhi to prevent any unauthorised march towards Parliament.

(PTI)