Large-scale protests broke out at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Monday morning. As activists under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party attempted to march toward Parliament, police blocked them. Police carried out a mild baton charge to disperse the protesters. The incident caused heavy traffic congestion in the area. With Parliament’s monsoon session underway, Delhi Police deployed heavily to prevent any untoward incidents, and the Rapid Action Force was also kept on standby to control the protest.
Delhi Police made clear that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (formerly Section 144) is in force in the New Delhi district, under which gatherings of five or more people and protest demonstrations are prohibited. They stated that protests may be held only at Jantar Mantar and only with prior permission, warning that strict action would be taken under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against anyone violating these rules. Police also noted that they had not received any official permission from the CJP to hold the march.
As is known, this march was originally announced by social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently undergoing treatment in hospital due to ill health. Wangchuk has been demanding that the government take responsibility for failures in the education system and paper leaks. He stated on social media that he would end his hunger strike only if the government responds and gives an assurance that it will discuss the matter in Parliament. He has laid out three conditions, stating that if the government does not respond, political leaders must come to the hospital themselves and give that assurance.