Protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi, many of whom participated in a July demonstration, adapted their strategies for a recent protest on Saturday. They used digital artwork, prepared for potential police action like lathi charges, and advised newcomers on safety measures such as carrying multiple masks and goggles. The protest, called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation, faced heavy security deployment, barricades, and mass detentions, preventing a large-scale gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police has refuted social media claims of a protester's death during a lathi charge at a CJP protest, calling them "false propaganda." Authorities warned of strict legal action against those spreading misinformation and urged the public to rely on verified facts to maintain peace.
Police forces from several adjoining districts were requisitioned to man key junctions, sensitive locations and government buildings in the Lutyens' area ahead of the march.
The protest site at Antarwali Sarati village in Maharashtra's Jalna district, which served as the epicentre for the Maratha reservation agitation led by Manoj Jarange, has been dismantled after 1,123 days. Local residents and the sarpanch decided to remove the tent and stage to facilitate daily activities and traffic movement, marking the end of a significant chapter in the three-year-long demand for OBC quota for the Maratha community.
Police said they began lathicharging and tear gassing after the agitators managed to breach the barricades at some locations and attacked the security personnel.
Cockroach Janta Party protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel near Jantar Mantar on Tuesday evening, prompting authorities to deploy heavy security in the area, sources said.
Violent clashes erupted across Bihar during the statewide Bihar Bandh called by leftwing student organisations over the NEET paper leak. In Patna and Aurangabad, police lathi-charged youths, fired tear gas, and detained protesters after stonepelting incidents.
The Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, Delhi, has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for an independent, time-bound inquiry into the alleged use of force against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar and raised concerns over activist Sonam Wangchuk's reported inability to leave Safdarjung Hospital.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for an independent Supreme Court-monitored high-powered committee to investigate alleged brutalities against students during protests. He also demanded the sacking of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of culpability or incompetence regarding the police action, including the use of pellet guns. The BJP has refuted Gandhi's allegations, calling them baseless.
A BJP leader in Bihar on Thursday died while taking part in a 'Vidhan Sabha march' against the state's Nitish Kumar government, evoking allegations from senior party leaders that he was "killed in a brutal lathi charge".
Delhi Police has cancelled all routine leaves for its personnel, effective immediately, in response to the escalating law and order situation and ongoing protests in the capital against the NEET exam paper leak.
Six-year-old Aditya gained attention for his bold comments during a student protest in Patna against Bihar Public Service Commission examinations. Despite social media rumours of his arrest, police clarified he was held for safety and returned to his parents, advising them to be more careful. The protest saw clashes, lathi-charge, and injuries.
Students in Ranchi, under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, are intensifying their protests against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Despite a large protest involving over 50,000 students, the government has not responded positively, leading to a decision to continue the agitation. The students are demanding transparency, reforms in JPSC and JSSC, cancellation of exams, and an independent investigation, with some even on hunger strike.
Thousands of students clashed with Bihar Police in Patna while attempting to march to the chief minister's residence, protesting against the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) examination system and alleged irregularities.
Activists of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Monday clashed with police during their protest over the law and order situation of Uttar Pradesh in front of the state assembly while it was in session, forcing cops to lathi-charge and use tear gas shells.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) representatives Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das have accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers of disrupting ongoing student protests, pelting stones, and attempting to defame protesters. They also reiterated the 'non-negotiable' demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amidst the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, while Union Health Minister JP Nadda urged against politicising the issue.
Social media accounts state that the Delhi police's use of force against the protestors marching to Parliament was excessive and unnecesssary. Videos posted on social media angered viewers appalled that the police would use such force against protesters who could well have been their children's age. Videos of distraught young protestors weeping at the violence overwhelmed viewers saddened by the insensitivity displayed by a force entrusted with protecting the Constitution.
Glimpses from the police action against the Cockroach Janta party' march to Parliament on Monday.
The Supreme Court asserted that the right to peaceful protest is 'absolutely guaranteed' and an agitation cannot justify 'police excesses' or a 'lathi charge,' while agreeing to hear pleas concerning alleged police brutality against students protesting the NEET paper leak.
Several protesters alleged they were detained or manhandled during the march, with some claiming they suffered injuries.
Job aspirants in Jharkhand are continuing their 19-day agitation against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations, demanding greater transparency, cancellation of tests, and an independent probe. The protests have led to clashes with police, a political showdown with the BJP, and health concerns for hunger-striking demonstrators, despite government assurances of reforms.
Bengaluru Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified woman for allegedly displaying placards supporting jailed activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam during a student protest at Freedom Park. The incident occurred on Friday, with police alleging the placards were provocative and intended to incite unrest. The complaint was filed after CCTV footage review, and a case has been registered under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The Supreme Court was strongly urged to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a former judge to investigate alleged police excesses against students protesting the NEET paper leak across various states. The court, while issuing interim directions, restrained states from coercive action against protesters and ordered the release of minors without criminal antecedents.
The Supreme Court has decided to form a high-powered committee, including retired judges and former top police officials, to investigate allegations of police excesses against student protesters in Delhi. The committee will examine video evidence and complaints, particularly from female protesters, and the court may quash FIRs against students without grave criminal antecedents, upholding the right to peaceful protest.
Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, engaged in violent protests, vandalising property and clashing with police over unverified claims of a female student being raped on campus. The unrest led to the suspension of classes and postponement of exams, while police registered a rape case and formed an SIT, despite the university denying the allegations as 'rumours'.
Opposition parties have submitted notices in the Rajya Sabha demanding an urgent discussion on the alleged use of force, including pellet guns, against students protesting the NEET paper leak issue. They are seeking accountability from the Home Minister and Prime Minister regarding the police action and alleged assault on protesters and journalists.
'This generation decides on their own what is good or bad for them.' 'They got an outlet to vent their anger against this government through CJP and they did that.' 'They felt how can the government control us or lathi charge us?'
The Delhi High Court declined to urgently hear a petition regarding alleged excessive force used by city police against students protesting with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during their "Chalo Sansad" march. The CJP accused police of injuring protesters and assaulting activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, a claim denied by Delhi Police.
Delhi Police are investigating claims that protesters involved in the July 20 "Chalo Sansad" demonstration used AI tools to learn methods for countering police crowd-control measures, such as using wet jute bags against tear gas. The probe also covers the alleged distribution of protective gear and the involvement of individuals with prior criminal records, as police analyse digital and other evidence to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible for the violence.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "most anti-youth" PM in the country's history as he accused the government of not just failing the youth but also pouncing on them.
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, protested alleged rape claims, leading to a 15-hour blockage of National Highway-44 and clashes with police. The university suspended classes and postponed exams. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the AAP government of instigating the unrest to disrupt an upcoming Amit Shah rally, while police registered a rape case and formed an SIT despite LPU calling the claims "rumours."
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan stated that the state government adheres to Central protocol for Vande Mataram recitation when the President, Vice-President, or Prime Minister attend official functions, despite his party's internal policy. This clarification follows a controversy and protests from the CPI(M) and SFI regarding the full rendition of the national song at a recent state event.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which on Monday attempted to march to Parliament to register its protest on the NEET exam leak, said that its founder Abhijeet Dipke had been "picked up" by Delhi Police as protests intensified.
An anti-encroachment drive in Mumbai's Bandra area turned violent after authorities demolished an alleged illegal religious structure, leading to stone-pelting by residents and a police lathi-charge.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand, urging the state government, of which Congress is a part, to engage in dialogue and resolve their issues immediately. Police in Ranchi had used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charged job aspirants attempting to reach the state assembly.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticised police action against CJP student protesters in the national capital, alleging lathi charge and tear gas use. He also claimed the Opposition was prevented from raising the issue in Parliament, demanding a discussion and a statement from the Home Minister. The protest, which turned violent, saw injuries to both police personnel and protesters, with FIRs registered for vandalism. Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, involved in the protest, continues to receive medical treatment.
A heated parliamentary showdown unfolded as NDA and INDIA bloc MPs clashed at Parliament's main gate.
The Supreme Court has taken a serious view of allegations of harassment against a minor girl who participated in the July Cockroach Janta Party protests. The court emphasised that nobody should be allowed to intimidate a victim or her family from pursuing criminal proceedings and directed the Solicitor General to ensure action on the girl's FIR, seeking reports from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh governments.
A police investigation into the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar revealed that over 980 of the 2,873 scrutinised individuals had previous criminal records. These included serious charges such as murder, attempt to murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping, and violations of the Arms Act and NDPS Act. The verification exercise was initiated following clashes during the 'Chalo Sansad' protest on July 20, which left many protestors and police personnel injured.
Thousands of job aspirants in Jharkhand clashed with police during a protest against alleged exam irregularities, demanding a CBI probe and comprehensive reforms in the state's public service commissions.