Renewed Clashes in Connaught Place
Violence flared in New Delhi on Wednesday evening as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest over alleged NEET examination irregularities descended into chaos. According to the Delhi Police, confrontations near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place resulted in injuries to an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Vivek Bhagat, who was transported to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. Security personnel reported that protesters hurled stones and bottles, prompting a response that involved lathi charges and the deployment of tear gas.
This incident follows a broader pattern of unrest since the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ (March to Parliament) rally. Delhi Police officials, including Special Commissioner Devesh Chandra Srivastava, maintain that the force has been targeted throughout these demonstrations. Police records indicate that over 118 officers were injured during the July 20 march, with authorities releasing CCTV footage that they claim shows protesters vandalizing property and attacking security personnel.
Legal and Institutional Scrutiny
The conduct of the Delhi Police has become a central point of contention in the Delhi High Court. During a recent hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan cited video evidence of an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sandeep Lamba, slapping a female protester during the July 20 march. In response to the growing public and legal outcry, the police department has confirmed the removal of Lamba from the Jantar Mantar protest site. The High Court has issued notices to the police, the central government, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), directing authorities to preserve all surveillance footage of the events.
CJP activists, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, have consistently rejected the police’s narrative, alleging that law enforcement has employed disproportionate force against peaceful demonstrators. The movement, which gained momentum following activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, continues to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing systemic failures in the administration of the NEET medical entrance exam.
Parliamentary Deadlock
The unrest has paralyzed the Monsoon Session of Parliament. While the Opposition continues to link their participation in parliamentary debates to the resignation of Minister Pradhan, the government, represented by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, has urged for a non-politicized, thorough discussion. Nadda stated that the government remains prepared for a comprehensive debate on the factors contributing to the paper leak and the subsequent response, yet the impasse remains unresolved as both sides trade blame over the handling of the crisis.