A day of high political drama transpired in Delhi on Monday as thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) congregated for the party’s proposed Chalo Sansad march on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session. The demonstration, focused on alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026 and various other irregularities in other exams held across the country, witnessed a heavy police deployment, a lathicharge on protestors and widespread disruption across Central Delhi.

The protestors have also been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged systemic irregularities in the examination system.

Cops crack down on demonstrators

Supporters, a majority of whom were youth, assembled at Jantar Mantar before attempting to embark on a foot march towards Parliament despite Delhi Police refusing permission for the rally. Security personnel used batons to disperse sections of the crowd after protestors approached police barricades.

Notably, Delhi Police had denied permission for the march on Sunday, a day before it was scheduled to be held, and had imposed prohibitory orders restricting large public gatherings. Authorities reiterated that protest marches, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people were prohibited unless specifically authorised at the designated protest site of Jantar Mantar.

The force also appealed to residents to refrain from participating in unauthorised gatherings and cooperate in the upkeep of law and order.

As tensions went up a notch, mobile internet services were also suspended in parts of Central Delhi as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the CJP urged supporters to maintain their composure and restraint throughout the demonstration. In a public appeal, the party asked protestors to remain calm even if stopped by the authorities, underlining that the movement would succeed only through peaceful and non-violent means.

Metro restrictions leave commuters stranded

The security arrangements also disrupted public transport across the national capital, Five stations of the Delhi Metro Services, namely, Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth, were closed until further notice owing to security concerns.

The commuters faced tremendous inconvenience, as hundreds of them were either left stranded or were forced to take longer alternative routes. It is noteworthy that Rajiv Chowk, one of the capital’s busiest interchange stations, saw large crowds gathering outside its closed entry and gates.

Details of the CJP’s movement

The CJP was founded in May 2026 by Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical digital platform after the remarks made by the Chief Justice of India( CJI) Surya Kant on youth sparked a row. CJI Kant had termed the country’s youth ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites.’

The outfit shot to fame online, attracting millions of followers and drawing support from Opposition leaders, activists, artists and sportspersons.

Dipke (30), who had been residing in the US for the past two years, returned to India on June 6 to lead protests aimed at seeking reforms to the country’s education system, after a string of exam irregularities unfolded in the country.

Talks with Centre amid continuing protest

Activist Sonam Wangchuk later joined the campaign on June 28 and resorted to a hunger strike, demanding Minister Pradhan’s resignation, but was shifted to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Day 21 of his fast, after police cited concerns over his health.

In a handwritten note issued from the hospital on Monday, Wangchuk said he would end his fast only if the Centre accepted responsibility for the alleged exam paper leaks and shortcomings in the education system, or if Members of Parliament (MPs) and political leaders assured him that the matter would be raised inside Parliament.

Meanwhile, CJP spokespersons announced they were heading for talks with Union Minister JP Nadda after the Centre reached out to them. At Jantar Mantar, Dipke informed supporters that spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das had left for discussions with the government and urged demonstrators to remain at the protest site until the talks came to an end.

Dipke was accompanied by Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo and CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, began the march for a brief period aboard a tractor before cops stopped the procession at barricades near Kerala House Road. He subsequently appealed to protestors not to resort to violence and instead stage a peaceful sit-in while awaiting the negotiations’ outcome.