Over 50 Cops, Protesters injured during march to Parliament; Over 100 detained

New Delhi, July 20: More than 50 police personnel and an equal number of protesters were injured on Monday after clashes broke out between security personnel and protesters during the “Chalo Sansad” march led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in the New Delhi district.

The clash erupted after protesters marching under the CJP banner attempted to move towards Parliament, leading to a confrontation with security personnel and a subsequent lathi-charge, police sources said.

The protesters, many of them youths and workers associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bheem Sena, had assembled for the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march to demand accountability over alleged examination irregularities and seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

More than 100 protesters were detained and taken to different police stations and temporary detention centres across Delhi.

Several videos showing police personnel allegedly caning protesters while preventing them from advancing towards Parliament surfaced on social media. Police sources said the authenticity of the videos was being verified and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the findings.

The injured police personnel and protesters were shifted to hospitals for treatment, while security forces brought the situation under control.

Tear-gas shells were fired at several locations in the New Delhi district to disperse the protesters and prevent them from moving towards Parliament, the sources said.

Police said legal action had been initiated against those involved in the violence, while security was further intensified at key locations across the high-security district.

The march coincided with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, prompting one of the largest security deployments in New and Central Delhi.

According to police sources, more than 100 protesters were detained from various locations, including Parliament Street, Patel Chowk, Constitution Club, Shastri Bhawan and adjoining areas. They were subsequently shifted to different police stations and temporary detention centres across Delhi.

The detainees would be released after verification and completion of legal formalities, sources said.

Thousands of protesters converged in central Delhi despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts unlawful assemblies except at designated protest sites with prior permission.

Police said protesters repeatedly attempted to breach multiple layers of barricading erected around Parliament Street, Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations, resulting in confrontations with security personnel.

Security forces resorted to a lathi-charge near Parliament Street after groups of protesters allegedly attempted to force their way through the barricades while marching towards Parliament.

The standoff continued on several approach roads until evening, as protesters regrouped after being dispersed and attempted to advance towards Parliament through inner lanes and alternative routes.

Large parts of New Delhi witnessed severe traffic congestion as security personnel sealed roads, diverted vehicles and restricted movement around Parliament, Central Vista, Connaught Place and adjoining areas.

Several Metro stations in the vicinity also witnessed restrictions on entry and exit as a precautionary measure.