New Delhi, 20 July (H.S.):

On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, a confrontation broke out between Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters and police at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday as demonstrators gathered for a march towards Parliament. Police used mild force to prevent the protesters from moving ahead, leading to a brief scuffle, and several demonstrators were detained. Later, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke ended his hunger strike by drinking water.

The protesters intended to march from Jantar Mantar to the Parliament building. However, police stated that the march had not received official permission, and therefore they were not allowed to proceed. Delhi Police personnel and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had already been deployed at the site as a precautionary measure.

Police officials attempted to persuade the protesters to remain at the designated location, but the crowd insisted on moving forward. As the demonstrators tried to advance, police used mild force to push them back.

Several protesters attempted to cross the barricades and move towards Parliament Street. Some reached areas near Mandi House and Rajiv Chowk metro stations, while many others were detained after reaching the Parliament Street police station area. Police, however, denied claims of any major lathi-charge or large-scale injuries among the protesters.

Earlier, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke had announced that if social activist Sonam Wangchuk was not brought to Jantar Mantar within two hours, the protesters would proceed with the Parliament march. Wangchuk is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, where his hunger strike had entered its 23rd day. Later, Dipke ended his fast by drinking water.

Meanwhile, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda. Saurav Das said in a post on social media platform X that the government had reached out for discussions and that the party would hold talks regarding its demands.

A large number of young people gathered in support of the protest, with CJP leaders asserting that the movement would continue.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar