CJP march to Parliament sparks clashes with police; Nadda meets protest leaders in govt's first outreach

New Delhi: Thousands of students turned central Delhi into a protest zone on Monday as police used tear gas, lathis and multiple layers of barricades to stop their march to Parliament over alleged examination paper leaks. Even as clashes unfolded on the streets, Union minister J P Nadda met leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), marking the government's first outreach to the protesters

The day-long agitation forced the closure of Parliament gates on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, disrupted traffic across Lutyens' Delhi and spilled into Parliament, where repeated Opposition protests over the issue led to adjournments in both Houses.

Also read: Nadda holds first CJP talks; Wangchuk stands firm as police standoff continues. Everything that unraveled today


By evening, police vacated Jantar Mantar, Metro services gradually resumed and many protesters were seen returning to their accommodations, although the CJP said the agitation would continue.

The movement gathered fresh momentum over the weekend after activist Sonam Wangchuk was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.

While hospital authorities said he required close supervision, Wangchuk's wife maintained that his fast continued. On Monday, Wangchuk appealed to doctors to discharge him temporarily so he could join the march but was not allowed.

The protest derives its name from a remark by the Chief Justice of India comparing sections of unemployed youth to "cockroaches" during a court hearing, a comment that drew criticism and was later adopted by protesters as a rallying point.

Around noon, the CJP said the government had reached out for talks. Later, spokesperson Saurav Das said he and fellow leader Ashutosh Ranka met Nadda for about 10 minutes at his residence and handed over a letter of demands.

"The minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. However, no commitments have been made so far. The peaceful protesters will not rest until the demand is met," said Das.

Nadda later said the discussions were held in a "cordial atmosphere" after the protesters proposed talks and appealed to demonstrators to end their sit-in and help restore normalcy.

The CJP's memorandum blamed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for multiple examination controversies, including the alleged NEET-2026 paper leak, the CBSE Class XII portal disruption and delays in CUET, and sought his resignation. It also demanded Wangchuk's release and compensation for families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide.

Also read: CJP's Jantar Mantar stage dismantled after Parliament march; protesters to stay put

Even as the meeting took place, protesters repeatedly attempted to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament.

Clashes were reported at Patel Chowk, Constitution Club, Shastri Bhawan, Parliament Street and near the RBI building as police used batons and tear gas to disperse crowds. Police said several personnel were injured after alleged stone-pelting, while protesters also sustained injuries. Police sources said more than 50 police personnel and protesters were injured, around 100 people were detained, and 65 medico-legal cases were registered at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Late in the evening, Wangchuk hardened his stand, posting on X: "Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet Parliamentarians at Sansad Bhawan."