Cockroach Janata Party Protest in Delhi: Demonstrators Advance Toward Parliament Amid Police Baton Charges

In Delhi, demonstrators from the Cockroach Janata Party were injured during a police baton charge while marching toward Parliament. The protesters clashed with police as they demanded the resignation of the Education Minister and moved forward toward the Parliament building. Opposition parties raised issues regarding question paper leaks and police baton charges, creating disruptions in the parliamentary session. Kathmandu, July 19.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) organized a march to Parliament in Delhi where police responded with baton charges on the protesters. Several people were injured during the clashes. Despite the force used against them, demonstrators pushed forward and reached the police checkpoint en route to Parliament, according to Indian media reports. People had begun gathering at Jantar Mantar from 11 PM Sunday night and spent the night on the footpath. As the march began Monday morning, pushing and shoving broke out between the police and protesters. The authorities had arranged triple-layer barricades, each seven feet tall, at all entry and exit points of Jantar Mantar. But with increasing crowds attempting to break through the barriers, confrontations ensued.

The police stated that permission for the march was denied due to the commencement of the new parliamentary session. Around 5,000 police personnel and Rapid Action Force officers were deployed between Jantar Mantar and Parliament. Protesters, carrying Indian flags and chanting slogans, advanced toward Parliament. When the police tried to control flag-carrying protesters, chaos broke out resulting in a baton charge. A video circulated showing a protester crying out “Don’t hit me” during the police action. From Sunday night, supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party had gathered at Jantar Mantar, staging a sit-in protest overnight. They lit flags and mobile phone flashlights while raising slogans in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The CJP’s primary demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was also present at the sit-in. Inside Parliament, opposition parties questioned the government on issues such as question paper leaks and theft at the Ram temple donation box. Rajya Sabha opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned the police baton charge on students at Jantar Mantar. He said, “Millions of children’s futures are at stake. The government is using force to silence their voices.” Following Kharge’s protest, Rajya Sabha proceedings were suspended temporarily. Meanwhile, in Lok Sabha, opposition MPs carrying placards and banners caused a ruckus, leading to suspension of proceedings after just 12 minutes, until noon. Congress MP Manish Tiwari submitted a motion to suspend the question hour and zero hour to discuss important matters. Addressing journalists outside Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Whether it’s the monsoon or the monsoon session, both are very productive when active. Discussions in Parliament should be based on reason and facts.” In the meantime, without mentioning opposition leader Rahul Gandhi by name, PM Modi sarcastically praised the success of the Indian youth startup “Skyroot” in space achievements. Modi remarked, “The average age of the youth working in that startup is 28 years; I am not talking about a 56-year-old ‘youngster’. The potential of India’s youth is as limitless as space itself.”