The protests, described as one of the largest in the national capital in recent years, saw CJP activists and students march towards Parliament under the banner of “Sansad Chalo.” Despite heavy security, including around 3,000 personnel and multiple barricades, along with a mobile internet shutdown in central Delhi, large crowds of mostly young people reached near Parliament Street before being pushed back with force. Police dismantled the protest stage where activist Sonam Wangchuk had been on an indefinite hunger strike, removing trampolines, carpets, mattresses, and other materials.
Injuries and Police Action
At least 38 injured protesters were taken to Lady Hardinge Medical College and around 65 to RML Hospital, with injuries including fractures, head injuries, swelling from tear gas, and eye irritation. CJP leaders reported that Abhijeet Dipke met a girl in critical condition at RML Hospital following the lathi-charge. Dipke himself briefly fainted during a sit-in earlier in the evening.
Delhi Police defended their actions, stating that protesters displayed “unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour,” attacked personnel with stones and objects, breached barricades, vandalised vehicles, and damaged public property. Police denied allegations of targeted assault on individuals, including Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo.
Human Rights Watch called on authorities to order police restraint and restore mobile internet connectivity near the protest sites. Internet services were shut down across 150 sites in central Delhi — the first widespread blackout since the 2021 farmers’ agitation — hampering the dissemination of visuals and information.
Meetings and Ongoing Demands
CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to formally demand Pradhan’s resignation. Nadda assured them that the demands would be discussed at the “appropriate level” but made no commitments. CJP vowed to continue protests until the demand is met. Nadda later requested protesters to end their sit-in and help restore normalcy.
Sonam Wangchuk, whose health remains stable at Safdarjung Hospital despite low blood sugar, announced he would continue his hunger strike until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital. His wife Gitanjali Angmo described the day’s protest as a “resounding success” and joined the continued sit-in near Kerala House along with Dipke, Das, and Ranka. CJP teams are providing medical and legal assistance to the injured.
Political Reactions and Solidarity Protests
Opposition leaders strongly criticised the police action. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “most anti-youth” PM in India’s history, highlighting 152 paper leaks affecting 7.5 crore students. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee condemned the use of force against dissent. CPI’s D. Raja described the lathi-charge as “a war on youth and students.” Tamil Nadu LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin also slammed the “high-handedness” of police.
Solidarity protests erupted in several cities. In Ahmedabad, 150 protesters were detained. Demonstrations with candlelight marches were reported in Goa, while police used water cannons in Thiruvananthapuram and cracked down on supporters in Mumbai. Protests also occurred in Gujarat and other places.
Delhi Police held a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation. A viral drone footage from Parliament Street is under investigation. The protests continue at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, with CJP awaiting a formal government response.
The unrest underscores widespread discontent among students over repeated examination irregularities in NEET and CBSE processes, with slogans of “Dharmendra Pradhan, isteefa do” echoing across the demonstrations.