LIVE: Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast; CJP now seeks PM Modi’s resignation
Nadda requests CJP to end sit-in, says ‘meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere’ after security forces baton-charge, use tear gas to disperse protesters
Chaos erupted in the heart of the capital today (July 20) as a planned 'Chalo Sansad' protest march to Parliament, which had swelled to over 10,000 demonstrators, culminated in clashes with police.
Attempting to march past heavy police blockades, a massive wave of protesters converged at the crucial Tolstoy Marg-Sansad Marg intersection. The situation quickly escalated when demonstrators attempted to breach multi-layered barricades, toppling security structures and triggering intense scuffles with security forces.
Also read: Wangchuk says fast to continue, lists conditions to end it
Police used lathis to control the crowd, pushed the protesters back and stopped them from moving beyond the barricades.
Police used sticks and batons to disperse hundreds of students and youth activists marching from Mandi House Metro Station towards Jantar Mantar in an attempt to reach the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site on Monday, eyewitnesses said. The protesters, including a large number of women, raised slogans against the Centre while proceeding towards Jantar Mantar. Heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel was seen in the area as police sought to prevent the march from advancing.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s "Chalo Sansad" march is being held today (July 20) to protest alleged NEET irregularities and demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The high-stakes demonstration coincides with the commencement of the Parliament's Monsoon session.
Follow live updates of 'Chalo Sansad' march and Parliament's Monsoon session, here.
Live Updates
- 20 July 2026 10:10 PM IST
Wangchuk's vital parameters stable: Safdarjung Hospital
Activist Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive medical treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, with his vital parameters remaining stable, according to his latest medical update issued on Monday.
Doctors said while Wangchuk’s blood-sugar levels remain on the lower side, other blood parameters have shown improvement following oral-rehydration therapy (ORS) and potassium-syrup supplementation.
The 59-year-old activist is under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts from the VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital and the AIIMS, the statement said.
“Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive medical treatment at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters are stable. Although his blood sugar levels remain on lower side, other blood parameters have shown improvement following oral rehydration therapy (ORS) and Syrup Potassium supplementation.
“He continues to remain under the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi.
“Continuous clinical monitoring remains essential for his recovery from mild to moderate dehydration and for the early identification and prevention of any potential complications,” the health bulletin issued at 7 pm said.
It added that “all necessary medical care is being provided, and his clinical condition is being closely monitored. Further management will be guided by his clinical progress and serial laboratory investigations”.
- 20 July 2026 9:01 PM IST
What is the impact of students' protest in Delhi? Here is a video discussion
In our latest Capital Beat episode, policy expert Pushparaj Deshpande, historian Mridula Mukherjee, and political analyst Siddharth Sharma discuss the massive youth turnout at Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street, with thousands joining the Cockroach Janata Party's "Chalo Sansad" march against education policy failures, exam leaks, and unemployment.
You can watch the full episode here
- 20 July 2026 8:28 PM IST
Modi ‘most anti-youth’ PM in India’s history: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “most anti-youth” PM in the country’s history as he accused the government of not just failing the youth but also pouncing on them.
“Prime Minister Modi is the most anti-youth Prime Minister in India's history — He’s so anti-youth that he can’t even take the resignation of a failed Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan,” he said in a post in Hindi on X.
“152 paper leaks. 7.5 crore students victimised. And not a single guilty person punished. Who got the punishment? The hardworking youth,” he went on.
He also attached a video message with his post in which he criticised the government and the police for action against the protesting students, whom he supported while terming their demands as “legitimate”.
The video also showed pictures of protesting students being beaten up by the cops. Gandhi said when children raise legitimate questions about education, they are met with batons and detention in response.
“The criminals who leaked the papers roam free — and the students raising valid issues are dragged around, beaten. This government is not just failing the youth — it is pouncing on them,” the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said.
In his video message, Rahul said the boys and girls who are walking the streets of Delhi are not criminals and they are demanding their rights.
“Their rights are to have an education system that respects them, to have an education system that is fair, to have an education system that is working. There's absolutely nothing wrong in what they are doing. And it is disgusting what the government is doing and what the police is doing.
“This is absolutely no way to behave. Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic; it is not India's way, and it is not the way it should be done. They have legitimate demands. The prime minister should accept these demands and do something about it,” he said.
The Congress leader claimed that everybody is “sick and tired” of the way our education system is functioning.
“Everybody is sick and tired of how the RSS has captured our education system and how all our institutions are being run by one organisation. This is a natural response that the young people of India are making, and it should be respected,” he noted.
Rahul said they have been raising this issue not for weeks or months, but for years as a fundamental problem.
“Modi disrespects all the young people of this country. All they believe in is ‘asatya and hinsa’ which are the anti-India principles,” he alleged while attacking the prime minister for not agreeing to the demands of protesting students.
- 20 July 2026 8:23 PM IST
CJP’s protest stage dismantled; ‘cockroaches’ to stay put
The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest site was dismantled by the police on Monday, hours after protesters’ march to Parliament was thwarted with tear gas and baton charges.
Protesters, however, regrouped at Jantar Mantar after the march. One of their leaders said they will stay put.
The stage where activist Sonam Wangchuk observed his hunger strike stood dismantled, with trampolines, carpets, mattresses and other materials removed.
The Jantar Mantar area still teemed with students and other protesters.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke addressed the crowd from a tempo fitted with loudspeakers.
- 20 July 2026 8:22 PM IST
Delhi Police denies assaulting Sonam Wangchuk’s wife
Delhi Police has rejected social media claims that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was assaulted and her hair pulled by police personnel during the ongoing protest.
Police described the allegations as “completely false and misleading”.
In a statement, police said, “No individuals were subjected to targeted assault, and claims suggesting malicious force or personal targeting are entirely baseless.”
- 20 July 2026 7:45 PM IST
CJP seeks PM Modi's resignation
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has now sought the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It made two posts within hours on Monday (July 20), one saying "Modi hatao desh bachao" (remove Modi and save the country), and the other asking the PM to resign.
- 20 July 2026 7:38 PM IST
Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast
Sonam Wangchuk has declared from hospital that he will continue his hunger strike. He made the announcement in a handwritten note that was shared on his X account.
- 20 July 2026 6:28 PM IST
Delhi Police probe viral drone video of Parliament protest
Delhi Police on Monday launched an investigation into a drone video circulating on social media that purportedly captured protesters gathered near Parliament Street, saying it was examining whether the flight violated drone regulations.
In a statement, the police said, "The authenticity of the footage and the circumstances surrounding the drone operation are being verified. For this violation of applicable laws and drone regulations, appropriate legal action will be taken."
According to a police source, the inquiry began after the video went viral online. The source said the New Delhi district is a high-security zone where operating drones requires prior permission, and any unauthorised flight is liable to legal action.
The development came after thousands of demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Police blocked the procession near Parliament Street, and clashes broke out as security personnel used baton charges to disperse the crowd.
- 20 July 2026 6:13 PM IST
Shabana Azmi backs CJP protest, urges dialogue with Centre
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi on Monday joined the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" march in Delhi, backing protesters demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and reforms in the education system.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Azmi defended the demonstration as a constitutional right and stressed its peaceful nature. "We are here to hold a peaceful protest. This is a right guaranteed by our Constitution. Mahatma Gandhi taught us the path of non-violence. We have no intention of resorting to violence," she said.
Responding to questions about the absence of Bollywood personalities, Azmi said, "You should support those who are marching for this cause, rather than diluting the matter."
She also revealed that she and lyricist Javed Akhtar had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking dialogue with the protesters. "Please just initiate a dialogue," she recalled from the letter, adding, "So, on the fifth day, we came here ourselves."
- 20 July 2026 5:52 PM IST
Delhi Police deny assaulting Sonam Wangchuk's wife
Delhi Police on Monday dismissed allegations circulating on social media that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Geetanjali Angmo, was assaulted or had her hair pulled by police personnel during the ongoing protest.
Calling the claims "completely false and misleading", the police issued a statement denying any such incident.
In a post, Delhi Police said reports alleging that Angmo was physically assaulted by its personnel during the protest were incorrect. "No individuals were subjected to targeted assault, and claims suggesting malicious force or personal targeting are entirely baseless," read the post.
The clarification came amid the continuing protest over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and heightened security measures in the national capital.
