New Delhi: More than 50 police personnel and over 50 protesters were injured on Monday after a clash between Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters and security personnel during the "Chalo Sansad" march in the New Delhi district.
The clash erupted after CJP protesters allegedly pelted stones at the security personnel, prompting a lathi-charge, police sources said.
Over 100 protesters were detained and were moved to different police stations in Delhi.
Several videos showing police caning protesters in response to the attack and preventing them from attempting to march towards Parliament surfaced on social media.
Police sources said they were verifying the authenticity of all the videos and that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the findings.
Also read: CJP protest: Drone footage of Parliament Street under probe, says Delhi Police
The injured police personnel and protesters were shifted to hospitals for treatment, while security forces brought the situation under control.
Tear gas was fired at several locations in the New Delhi district to disperse them and keep them away from the Parliament, the sources said.
Police said legal action has been initiated against those involved in the violence, while security has been further intensified across key locations in the high-security district.
The protesters, many of them students and youth, had assembled for the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march to press for accountability over alleged examination irregularities and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The march coincided with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, prompting one of the biggest security deployments in New and Central Delhi.
According to police sources, more than 100 protesters were detained from different locations, including Parliament Street, Patel Chowk, Constitution Club, Shastri Bhawan and adjoining areas, and shifted to different police stations and temporary detention centres across Delhi.
Sources said the detainees would be released after verification and legal formalities.
Thousands of protesters converged on central Delhi despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which bars unlawful assemblies except at designated protest sites with prior permission.
Police said protesters repeatedly attempted to breach multilayer barricades 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 tried to force their way through barricades while marching towards Parliament.
The standoff continued on multiple approach roads till 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.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police appealed to protesters to maintain peace, exercise restraint and cooperate with security personnel in maintaining law and order.
In a post on X, it said, "Delhi Police appeals to all protesters to maintain peace, exercise restraint and cooperate with the police in ensuring peace and public order."
"All participants are requested to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner, refrain from indulging in any unlawful or violent activities and comply with the lawful directions issued by police officers/personnel deployed on duty," it said.
The police also advised people not to circulate rumours or unverified content on social media.
"The public is advised not to believe or circulate rumours, misinformation or unverified content through any platform. Citizens are requested to rely only on authentic sources of information and extend their cooperation to Delhi Police in maintaining peace, harmony and public order," it said.
Delhi Police had gone on high alert ahead of the Parliament session and the proposed march, deploying additional personnel, paramilitary forces and rapid response teams at sensitive locations.
Authorities had erected multilayer barricades, intensified vehicle checking at entry points into the New Delhi district and strengthened surveillance through CCTV cameras and anti-sabotage checks.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma had earlier clarified that no permission had been sought or granted for any march towards Parliament and warned that action would be taken against violators of the prohibitory orders.
Amid the protests, Delhi Police also issued multiple fact-checks denying what it described as false claims circulating on social media.
The police rejected allegations that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali Angmo, had been assaulted or her hair pulled by police personnel during the protests.
"Reports circulating on social media claiming that the wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was assaulted and had her hair pulled by Delhi Police personnel are completely false and misleading," the police said.
"No individuals were subjected to targeted assault, and claims suggesting malicious force or personal targeting are entirely baseless," it added.
The clarification came after CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das alleged on X that Angmo had been assaulted and that dozens of protesters, including a 12-year-old girl, had sustained injuries.
Police also denied social media reports claiming that CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had been detained.
In another post on X, Delhi Police said reports suggesting Dipke had been taken into custody were "entirely false" and asserted that he was "available on stage".
Earlier, Das had alleged on social media that Dipke had been picked up by the police and appealed to Members of Parliament to support the protesters.
Throughout the day, protesters carrying the national flag gathered at different locations, raising slogans demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and accountability over alleged examination irregularities.
Many protesters walked several kilometres after being stopped by police barricades, regrouping repeatedly at intersections and attempting to move closer to Parliament through narrow lanes.
Many more videos from Parliament Street surfaced online where some people can be seen in injured condition and blood oozing from their head or face.
The demonstrations, which initially focused on alleged examination irregularities, gathered momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike.
Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital after his health deteriorated, sought permission from the hospital authorities to leave temporarily and participate in the march, saying he was feeling fit.
According to the hospital's latest medical bulletin, his vital parameters remained stable, though doctors said his blood parameters continued to require close clinical observation.
The CJP maintained that its demands included the resignation of the education minister, compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide over examination-related issues and Wangchuk's release from hospital.
Security remained heightened across the New Delhi district till late evening, with additional companies of Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel deployed across Parliament Street, Central Vista, Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place and other sensitive locations to prevent any further escalation.
Police sources said that over 5,000 police personnel are deployed to maintain law and order.
