Security forces used lathi charges to disperse protesters during the 'Chalo Sansad' march at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday [1].
The clash represents an escalation of public anger regarding national education standards and government accountability following a major exam leak. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing grievances over the NEET exam [2].
An estimated 15,000 people participated in the protest [3]. The crowd attempted to march toward the Parliament building despite the existence of prohibitory orders [2]. As protesters breached barricades to move closer to the legislative seat, clashes erupted with security personnel [3].
Reports on the specific units involved in the crackdown vary. Some sources said that Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel used lathis to disperse the crowd [1]. Other reports said that the Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) conducted the lathi charges [4, 5].
Local authorities responded by shutting down nearby metro stations to prevent further crowds from entering the area [5]. The security operation focused on clearing the area around Jantar Mantar, and preventing any unauthorized entry into the Parliament perimeter [1, 2].
Security forces continued to maintain a presence in the area throughout the day to prevent the reformation of the protest lines. The use of lathis—traditional wooden batons—is a common crowd-control measure in India, though it often leads to injuries and further tension between citizens and the state [5].
“Security forces used lathi charges to disperse protesters during the 'Chalo Sansad' march.”
The confrontation highlights the volatility of student-led protests in India, where academic grievances frequently evolve into broader demands for ministerial accountability. The deployment of multiple security tiers, including the RPF and RAF, suggests a high-level state effort to secure the Parliament zone during periods of civil unrest.
