New Delhi: Security around Parliament was stepped up on Monday after Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protesters marched from Jantar Mantar and reached the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) building near Parliament as part of the party's 'Sansad Chalo' protest. Several entry gates to the Parliament complex were closed, while heavy deployment of police and security personnel remained in place on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

Protesters raised slogans near the RBI building, one of the closest public locations to the Parliament complex, as authorities enforced a tight security cordon. Security agencies also carried out extensive drills ahead of the march to prevent demonstrators from entering the high-security zone.

Several videos and posts circulating on X claimed security personnel lobbed tear gas shells to disperse demonstrators marching towards the Parliament complex. Other posts showed quick response teams armed with assault rifles taking positions near Parliament, with several entry gates appearing to be closed. Some users also shared visuals of security personnel in firing positions near the complex. The authenticity of these videos and claims could not be independently verified, and authorities have not officially confirmed the alleged use of tear gas or commented on the visuals.

Security forces remain deployed around Parliament to secure the high-security zone during the Monsoon Session and prevent any breach of the complex.

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his indefinite hunger strike at the request of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been admitted to Safdarjung Hospital since July 18 after his own 21-day hunger strike required medical intervention.

CJP leaders head for talks with JP Nadda

As the protest continued, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka left to meet Union Health Minister JP Nadda after, according to the party, the government reached out for talks earlier in the day.

Sharing the update on X, Das wrote that he and Ranka were travelling to meet the minister on behalf of the CJP.

"The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth have gathered in huge numbers. We shall win!" he posted.

Earlier, Das said the organisation remained open to discussions on its long-standing demands for examination reforms. While describing the government's outreach as delayed, he claimed there was still no clarity from the administration and said "the ball is in their court".

Wangchuk seeks temporary discharge

From Safdarjung Hospital, Sonam Wangchuk appealed to hospital authorities to discharge him, even temporarily, saying his condition had stabilised and he wanted to join the 'Sansad Chalo' march.

In a note posted on X, Wangchuk said his health parameters were normal and requested permission to leave the hospital.

"This is to state that I am feeling very fine today and my health parameters are also showing as quite normal. Hence, I request you to kindly allow me to leave the hospital, even if temporarily, so that I can join the March to the Parliament - Sansad Chalo this morning. I shall be most grateful," he wrote.

Police use mild force as security remains on high alert

Earlier in the day, police used a mild lathi charge to disperse hundreds of protesters attempting to march towards Parliament from Jantar Mantar. The protest also disrupted traffic in parts of central Delhi.

According to a Delhi Police advisory, processions, demonstrations and gatherings of five or more people are prohibited outside designated protest sites, except at Jantar Mantar with prior permission. Security was further reinforced around Parliament as the Monsoon Session began on Monday.