Delhi Police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters attempting to breach barricades near Parliament House today [1, 2].
The clash represents a significant escalation in the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ campaign, which seeks to force parliamentary action on the group's specific demands. The confrontation underscores the tension between the party's mobilization efforts and the security protocols surrounding India's seat of government.
Protesters gathered near Patel Chowk and the Jantar Mantar area as part of the rally [1, 2]. The crowd size was estimated at 15,000 people [2]. As the group attempted to push through security perimeters, police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel engaged with the demonstrators [2].
Authorities deployed tear gas and batons to push the crowd back from the restricted zones. The police said the measures were necessary for crowd control after protesters tried to breach the barricades [2]. The area around Patel Chowk remained a flashpoint for several hours as security forces worked to clear the streets.
The CJP has organized the ‘Sansad Chalo’ campaign to bring their grievances directly to the lawmakers. While the party aims for parliamentary intervention, the physical confrontation with law enforcement has shifted the immediate focus to the legality of the protest, and the methods used by the police to maintain order [1, 2].
“Delhi Police used lathicharge and tear gas to disperse Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters”
The use of force against a crowd of 15,000 suggests a low tolerance for unauthorized breaches of the high-security zone surrounding the Indian Parliament. This incident may lead to increased surveillance of the CJP's future activities and could potentially galvanize further protests if the group perceives the police response as excessive.
