CJP Parliament March Turns Chaotic: Police Use Lathicharge and Tear Gas at Jantar Mantar; Sonam Wangchuk Continues Hunger Strike
The CJP's 'Chalo Parliament' march witnessed high drama in Delhi as police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse protesters gathered near Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike at Safdarjung Hospital, reiterated the conditions under which he would end his fast.
New Delhi: Tension escalated in the national capital on Sunday as the CJP's "Chalo Parliament" march led to clashes between protesters and police near Jantar Mantar. Authorities used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse demonstrators after a large crowd gathered despite the protest not receiving official permission.
According to Delhi Police, nearly 8,000 protesters had assembled for the march. Heavy security was deployed across the area, with riot control vehicles stationed at key locations to maintain law and order.
Earlier, Delhi Police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). In a public advisory, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma stated that no permission had been sought or granted for the protest march or procession.
The protest also received support from several public figures. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi, along with leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party, visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who continues his hunger strike from Safdarjung Hospital, issued a handwritten note outlining the conditions under which he would end his fast.
According to Wangchuk, he would call off the hunger strike if the government accepts responsibility for recent failures in the education system, including alleged examination paper leaks, or if Members of Parliament assure him that the issue will be taken up for discussion in Parliament. He also stated that if his health does not permit him to continue participating in the movement, MPs could visit him in the hospital and provide the same assurance.
The developments come amid growing political attention on the protest, with demands for educational reforms and accountability continuing to dominate the ongoing agitation. Security remains tight in the capital as authorities monitor the situation.