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 1:35 PM IST
Abhijeet Dipke ends hunger strike ahead of Parliament march
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called off his hunger strike ahead of the organisation's march to Parliament on Monday after being urged to do so by the father of a NEET aspirant who died by suicide.
Announcing the development in a post on X, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said, "The father of a NEET student Riya Thapa who died by suicide has persuaded Abhijeet Dipke to end his hunger strike so that he can lead the march to Parliament."
Dipke had been observing the fast as part of the party's campaign over alleged examination irregularities. With the hunger strike ending, he is expected to lead the protest march to Parliament alongside CJP supporters.
- 20 July 2026 1:25 PM IST
Karti Chidambaram questions DMK's shift on delimitation
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Monday criticised the DMK over what he described as a shift in its political position and expressed concerns over the proposed Delimitation Bill, saying an expansion of Lok Sabha seats could weaken the representation of southern states.
Commenting on the DMK, Chidambaram said, "You have to ask the DMK for its reasons why they are doing a flip flop." He added that, in his view, the party was "being enticed with this One Nation One Election" and warned that if it pursued that course, "their fate in the next elections will be worse than what they faced in this recent Assembly elections."
On the Delimitation Bill, Chidambaram said he expected the DMK to maintain its earlier stand. "They opposed the Bill the last time, I hope they will oppose the Bill this time too," he said.
Explaining his opposition, he argued that "absolute numbers matter" in parliamentary democracy, saying an increase in Lok Sabha seats would widen the gap in representation between southern states and larger northern states despite similar percentage increases.
He further claimed that a significantly larger House would reduce opportunities for MPs to participate in debates. "With 815, we will get less time to speak," Chidambaram said, adding that "a larger Parliament will be an ineffective Parliament."
- 20 July 2026 1:07 PM IST
Security forces use tear gas shells to disperse protesters
CJP Parliament march: Security forces use tear gas shells to disperse protesters near Shastri Bhawan.
- 20 July 2026 12:57 PM IST
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar by Opposition members over CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar.
- 20 July 2026 12:51 PM IST
Watch: Security tightened outside Parliament amid CJP protest
Security has been stepped up outside Parliament as the Monsoon Session begins today. The heightened deployment comes amid the Cockroach Janata Party's proposed protest march towards Parliament, with authorities maintaining a tight vigil in the area.
- 20 July 2026 12:43 PM IST
Tharoor slams lathi-charge on CJP march, seeks debate in Parliament
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday criticised the police action against protesters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and urged the government to allow a discussion in Parliament on the issues raised by the Opposition.
Reacting to reports of a lathi-charge on demonstrators, Tharoor questioned the use of force. "When a non-violent protest is taking place, what is the reason for a lathi-charge? Lathi charge is not an act of non-violence. It is an act of violence," he said.
Drawing a parallel with the disruptions in Parliament, Tharoor argued that the issues being raised by the Opposition deserved debate. "Parliament is supposed to be the place where we can ventilate the voice of the people, the concerns of the people," he said, adding that while the government has the numbers, "the Opposition must have its say because the government will have its way."
He said the refusal to allow a discussion had contributed to the day's disruptions. "If Parliament is not for raising these issues, then honestly, what is it for?" Tharoor asked.
Appealing for cooperation between the treasury and Opposition benches, he said, "The Prime Minister has sought cooperation from the opposition. We'll cooperate if they cooperate. This has got to be give and take."
- 20 July 2026 12:38 PM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned again till 1 pm amid Opposition protests
The Lok Sabha was adjourned once again on Monday, this time until 1 pm, as persistent protests by Opposition members continued to disrupt proceedings during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The House witnessed repeated slogan-shouting by Opposition MPs, preventing normal business from being conducted. The disruptions led to another adjournment shortly after the House had reconvened.
The Monsoon Session began amid heightened political tensions, with the Opposition pressing the government on a range of issues, including alleged examination irregularities, governance concerns and other matters it has sought to raise in Parliament.
- 20 July 2026 12:25 PM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12:30 pm amid Opposition protests
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 12:30 pm on Monday after repeated slogan-shouting by Opposition members disrupted proceedings during the session.
- 20 July 2026 12:22 PM IST
CJP delegation to meet JP Nadda amid protest
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Monday said a delegation of the organisation was on its way to meet BJP president and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda after the government initiated contact for discussions amid ongoing protests over examination reforms.
In a post on X, Das said, "It's 11:52 AM. Ashutosh Ranka and I, on behalf of the Cockroach Janta Party, are on our way to meet J.P. Nadda."
Claiming that the outreach came from the Centre, he added, "The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth has gathered in huge numbers."
The development comes as thousands of CJP supporters assembled at Jantar Mantar and attempted to march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities and broader education reforms. Police had denied permission for the march and detained or dispersed protesters as security was tightened around Parliament. Earlier in the day, Das had also confirmed that discussions with the government were underway.
