Thousands defy heavy restrictions, rain to join CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ in Delhi
Indian forces use batons on protesters marching towards Parliament
New Delhi: Tensions escalated as Indian forces used batons on thousands of protesters gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday morning despite heavy rain and unprecedented deployment of Indian forces across central Delhi as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters attempted to move towards Parliament under its proposed “Sansad Chalo” march demanding accountability over paper leaks.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Delhi Police sealed several roads leading to Parliament, barricaded the Jantar Mantar site from all sides and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Janpath, Patel Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth metro stations were also closed as part of the security measures.
Police had earlier said no permission was granted for the march and warned that unauthorised processions towards Parliament would not be allowed. Despite the restrictions, protesters continued to pour into Jantar Mantar through the morning. The CJP shared photographs and videos on social media showing large crowds and posted: “Heavy rains and massive security, but nothing will stop the cockroaches today.”
In another post, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a photograph of the Constitution with the message, “Long live the Constitution.”CJP spokesperson Saurav Das appealed to supporters to remain peaceful, noting that several metro stations were closed and many protesters were being stopped from reaching the site. “Please remain calm wherever you might be. Even if you’ve been stopped at certain points, remain calm and maintain peace. We will only win this with peace and love,” Das said.
The mobilisation came even as activist Sonam Wangchuk, admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after being shifted there by Delhi Police on Friday, reiterated that his indefinite hunger strike would continue beyond Monday unless the government accepted accountability for failures in the education system or political leaders assured him the issue would be raised during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
In a handwritten note from the hospital, Wangchuk said his fast would end only if the government took responsibility for paper leaks and other failures, or if MPs assured him the issue would be taken up in Parliament. He also alleged he was under “illegal detention” at Safdarjung Hospital.
