CJP Parliament March Live: Protestors gather at Jantar Mantar again; more than 100 supporters detained

CJP Protest: Many students and the general public have gathered again for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest after CJP organised a 'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament today. Several supporters were beaten and dispersed at CJP's protest site at Jantar Mantar, with incidents of stone pelting also reported and at least 10–12 tear gas shells fired at the protesters.

The march is being held on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. It focuses on irregularities in competitive examinations, mainly the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026 paper leak. Protesters are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms in the examination system and justice for affected students.

Delhi Police says no permission has been granted for the march towards Parliament and maintains that prohibitory orders remain in force in the New Delhi district. Security remains heightened around Parliament, Central Vista, Jantar Mantar and other key locations as authorities prepare for the proposed mobilisation.

Academia360 reporters have shared that one side of the protest area at Jantar Mantar is sealed and Janpath Metro station gate number 2 is closed. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are witnessing multiple adjournments as opposition leaders demand that students' issues be heard before anything else.

Sonam Wangchuk to end hunger strike today?

The march to Parliament comes two days after Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for over 22 days, was forcibly shifted to Safdarjung Hospital.

Ahead of today's march, Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, announces that the activist is willing to end his hunger strike if political leaders meet him at Safdarjung Hospital and assure him that the issue of education accountability will be raised during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Wangchuk continues to receive treatment at Safdarjung Hospital. According to the latest medical bulletin, his condition is stable, but doctors say he requires round-the-clock monitoring due to the physiological stress caused by his prolonged hunger strike. A multidisciplinary team from Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS continues to supervise his treatment.

Protest site remains packed

Jantar Mantar remains packed after hundreds of supporters spend the night at the protest venue following CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's call for a night vigil. Protest organisers urge participants to remain peaceful and disciplined during today's march. Several political leaders and public figures, including Mahua Moitra, Brinda Karat, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj, extend support to the agitation ahead of the Parliament march.

The CJP continues its month-long protest over alleged irregularities in NEET 2026 and other competitive examinations. The organisation is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), greater transparency in entrance examinations and justice for students affected by alleged exam irregularities.

Ahead of the march, the organisation asks participants to remain peaceful and follow its advisory. Protesters are permitted to carry only the national flag, a copy of the Constitution or photographs of national icons while ensuring the demonstration remains non-violent.

VBSA Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee's meeting on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan (VBSA) Bill, which was scheduled to adopt its draft report on July 20, has been cancelled. Members have not been informed of the reason, and no new date has been fixed. The Bill aims to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by setting up three separate councils to oversee regulation, accreditation and standards in higher education.