Delhi Police used tear gas, sticks, and batons on Monday to disperse protesters blocking a central Delhi intersection [1], [2].
The clash occurred as members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attempted to march toward Parliament, creating a security flashpoint in the capital's high-security zone [2], [3].
Security forces, supported by paramilitary units, deployed smoke canisters and batons to clear the intersection of Janpath, Ashok Road, and Raisina Road [1], [3]. The police action took place near the Le Meridien Hotel, where protesters had blocked the road [1], [3]. Authorities said the measures were necessary to reopen the key route to Connaught Place after the demonstration turned violent [1], [2].
Reports on the size of the crowd vary. Some accounts state that hundreds of protesters were dispersed [1], while other reports indicate thousands of protesters attempted to march toward Parliament [2].
The protest route originally spanned from the Mandi House Metro Station toward Jantar Mantar [1], [3]. During the confrontation, police detained CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke [2].
Videos of the scene capture chaotic moments as police pushed back the crowd to regain control of the intersection [1], [3]. The operation aimed to restore traffic flow in one of the city's most sensitive administrative corridors — an area that houses several government buildings and diplomatic residences [1], [3].
“Delhi Police used tear gas, sticks, and batons on Monday to disperse protesters”
The use of force against the Cockroach Janta Party highlights the tension between public assembly and the strict security protocols maintained around India's Parliament. By deploying paramilitary support and tear gas to clear a primary intersection, the Delhi Police signaled a low tolerance for disruptions in the capital's administrative heart, prioritizing traffic flow and government security over the protesters' attempt to reach the legislative complex.
