Massive CJP Protest Over Exam Leaks Rocks Delhi, Parliament Faces Disruption

New Delhi: The nationwide movement against alleged examination paper leaks intensified in the national capital as thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) attempted to march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, triggering clashes with Delhi Police and setting off a political confrontation that continued into the following day.

The protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar before marching towards Parliament, demanding accountability over repeated examination irregularities, reforms in the recruitment and education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Delhi Police stopped the march, citing prohibitory orders around the Parliament complex.

Violence erupted as protesters attempted to breach police barricades. According to Delhi Police, 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes. Protest organisers claimed that at least 60 protesters were also injured.

Authorities acknowledged the use of force, including baton charges and tear gas, while protesters alleged the use of pellet guns and electric shock devices. Police have denied or not confirmed those specific allegations.

One woman protester was reported to be in critical condition after sustaining injuries during the clashes. Indian Express reported that she was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, though her medical condition has not been independently verified by multiple news agencies.

The protests continued on the second day as thousands regrouped at Jantar Mantar despite heightened security across central Delhi.

The demonstrations quickly evolved into a wider political flashpoint after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several INDIA bloc leaders staged a sit-in protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and leaders from other opposition parties joined the demonstration, demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan and seeking accountability for the police action against students.

During the protest, Rahul Gandhi described Narendra Modi as “the most anti-youth Prime Minister” and alleged that 152 examination paper leaks had affected nearly 7.5 crore students across the country. The figures were presented by Rahul Gandhi as part of his criticism of the government’s handling of examination irregularities and have not been independently verified by Public News X.

Delhi Police later detained Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders after a prolonged standoff. They were subsequently released.

The protests have also impacted Parliament proceedings, with repeated disruptions forcing adjournments in both Houses as opposition parties demanded an immediate discussion on examination paper leaks and the police response.

Breaking his silence on the controversy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an NDA meeting and described examination paper leaks as a “grave sin” and preventing them as a “national responsibility.” He said those responsible would face strict punishment and highlighted measures taken by the government, including arrests in paper leak cases, conducting re-examinations where necessary and implementing anti-cheating legislation. The Prime Minister also appealed against politicising the issue.

Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike in support of systemic reforms and accountability, was shifted to Medanta Hospital following health concerns after intervention by the Delhi High Court.

Sonam Wangchuk has maintained that his fast will continue until the government accepts responsibility or Members of Parliament formally commit to raising the demands inside Parliament.

The CJP movement, which emerged after remarks by the Supreme Court comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” sparked widespread public debate, has grown into one of the largest youth-led protest campaigns in recent years.

What began as a protest against alleged examination irregularities has now expanded into a wider youth movement demanding accountability, transparency and reforms in India’s competitive examination system. However, the anger at Jantar Mantar has increasingly shifted from only exam-related grievances to questions over the government’s response to the protests. Protesters gathered at the site are now raising political demands, including calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a demand also echoed by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during his protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

During the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march, Public News X’s ground observation found that tensions escalated after security forces stopped protesters attempting to move towards Parliament. Several protesters at the site alleged that the police action, including lathi-charge and use of tear gas, changed the mood of the demonstration from anger over examination issues to anger over the handling of the protest itself. Reports from the ground and media accounts confirmed clashes between protesters and police, with both sides presenting different accounts of how the situation escalated.

Beyond political slogans, the protest site has also witnessed unusual public support. Several protesters and supporters claimed that families, friends and ordinary citizens were sending food supplies to Jantar Mantar through online delivery platforms, with some delivery workers being asked to drop food at the protest location without a specific recipient name. Public News X could not independently verify the scale of such deliveries but observed growing community support among people present at the protest site.

The detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders on July 21 further intensified reactions among protesters and supporters. The move triggered fresh discussions at Jantar Mantar, with more people, including families and older citizens, joining the conversation around student concerns and examination reforms. Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition’s immediate demand was a discussion in Parliament on alleged paper leaks and the police action against protesting students, while Union Minister Jitendra Singh later said the government was willing to discuss NEET-related issues in Parliament.

In the days leading up to the July 20 march, security preparations around the protest site intensified. Public News X observed increased deployment of police personnel on July 18 and 19, along with barricading and additional security vehicles positioned near central Delhi. Visuals from the area showed damaged police vehicles and heightened security arrangements ahead of the planned march towards Parliament.

Some visuals circulating online showed a group of police personnel inside a vehicle wearing protective gear and appearing in a formation resembling a “human shield.” Protesters and supporters questioned the level of security preparedness, alleging that such measures reflected an aggressive approach towards a student-led demonstration.

Authorities, however, maintained that security arrangements were necessary to prevent any breach of restricted zones around Parliament and government establishments.

Meanwhile, social media narratives around the protest began to diverge after videos showing clashes between protesters and police personnel circulated online. Some influencers and political commentators highlighted visuals of protesters allegedly damaging police vehicles and confronting security personnel, while protesters pointed towards videos showing police action during the clashes.

The competing narratives have shaped public debate over whether the focus should remain on examination reforms or the handling of the protest itself.

The newly appointed Delhi Police Commissioner visited injured police personnel following the clashes. However, protesters and some supporters criticised the absence of a similar visit to injured demonstrators, calling for equal attention towards students who were hurt during the confrontation.

Police officials have maintained that their response was aimed at maintaining law and order during an unauthorised march towards a high-security area.