Delhi Police used tear-gas shells and baton charges on Monday to disperse thousands [1] of protesters from the Common Justice Party (CJP) in central Delhi.
The clash marks a significant escalation in public anger over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam paper leak, highlighting growing frustration with government inaction on academic integrity.
Protesters converged on areas including Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, and the Central Secretariat metro station [1]. The crowd attempted to march on parliament to demand the resignation of the education minister [2]. The situation turned violent, leading security forces to deploy lathi charges, the use of heavy batons, to push back the crowd [1].
"Thousands of young and angry people converged on central Delhi on Monday, only to be met by police teargas and lathi-charges in a spiralling protest that started with the exam paper leak," PTI said [1].
The unrest follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the NEET examination process. Protesters argued that the government has failed to address the systemic failures that allowed the paper leak to occur [2].
Reports regarding the status of CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke were contradictory during the event. One report stated that Dipke was detained by police [1]. However, Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the CJP, said, "Abhijeet Dipke has not been detained by Delhi Police" [1].
Security forces maintained a heavy presence throughout the day to prevent further incursions into the high-security zones of the capital. The use of tear gas was aimed at clearing the streets around the Central Secretariat to restore order [1].
“Thousands of young and angry people converged on central Delhi on Monday”
The volatility of the CJP protests reflects a deepening crisis of trust in India's national examination systems. By targeting the education minister specifically, the movement shifts from a general grievance about exam leaks to a direct political demand for accountability. The use of force by Delhi Police in high-visibility areas like Connaught Place suggests a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorized marches toward parliament, even as student unrest grows.
