Delhi Police have sealed Jantar Mantar with multi-layered barricades and anti-riot vehicles to contain protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) [1].
The crackdown follows an indefinite hunger strike by activist Sonam Wangchuk and demands for the resignation of the Education Minister. The movement seeks accountability for alleged irregularities in national examinations and broader educational reforms [1, 4].
The protest began on June 20, 2026 [5]. By June 30, the sit-in had entered its 11th day, with reports that Wangchuk's health was deteriorating [6]. To restrict the gathering, police deployed rapid-action forces and anti-riot vehicles. Protesters alleged that authorities cut off water, and sanitation facilities at the site [2, 3].
"Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity," Wangchuk said [1].
Security tightened further during a march toward Parliament. Police said that around 70 protesters were detained during the unrest [1], though other reports from the same source cited a lower figure of around eight [1].
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticized the heavy security presence and the restriction of movement within the city's power hub. "They've made it like North Korea," Dipke said [1].
The mobilization also drew support from khap leaders who joined the sit-in. However, the CJP alleged that some farmer leaders were placed under house arrest to prevent them from reaching Jantar Mantar [4].
“"Being forced to sit here in heat, wish govt had shown sensitivity,"”
The escalation at Jantar Mantar reflects a deepening conflict between educational activists and the Indian government over the integrity of national testing. By deploying anti-riot forces and cutting basic utilities, the state is signaling a low tolerance for disruptive protests in the capital's administrative heart, while the involvement of khap leaders suggests the issue is gaining traction beyond urban student circles.
