Supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday to launch a march toward Parliament [1].
The demonstration coincides with the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The group seeks the resignation of the current government through a planned "Chalo Sansad" march [2, 3].
Protesters remained at the site around eight a.m. despite heavy rain [1, 4]. The crowd continued to grow as they prepared to move toward the legislative building [1, 4].
Authorities took several preemptive measures to manage the crowds. Five Delhi Metro stations were closed ahead of the planned march [5].
Clashes occurred as the procession moved. A Delhi Police spokesperson said, "Police used tear‑gas shells to disperse protesters near Constitution Club" [6]. Other reports indicate that police used lathis to disperse the crowd due to a lack of official permission for the march [7].
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, has raised concerns regarding state surveillance. Dipke said, "Our WhatsApp calls and chats are being monitored" [8].
Not all public figures have aligned with the movement. Artist Diljit Dosanjh distanced himself from the Jantar Mantar protests. Dosanjh said, "Keep me away from all this, I'm an artist" [9].
“"Our WhatsApp calls and chats are being monitored."”
The intersection of the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march and the opening of the Monsoon Session indicates a strategic attempt to maximize political visibility. The use of tear gas and the closure of metro stations highlight the government's intent to prioritize security and stability over the right to assembly during critical legislative proceedings.
