
LIVE: All Congress leaders, CJP protesters released from detention; Wangchuk shifted to Medanta
Rahul, Priyanka, Akhilesh stage surprise sit-in outside PM Modi's residence, demanding his resignation; detained for hours after talks with govt fail
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav were on Tuesday (July 21) evening removed from outside the Prime Minister's official residence in New Delhi where they were staging a sit-in protest demanding his resignation over the police action against students during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest march the day before. The leaders were detained for hours before being released late in the evening.
The protest came in response to the pitched battle that ensued between protesters and police personnel during the CJP-led ‘Sansad Chalo’ rally to Parliament on Monday, which was also the first day of the Monsoon Session, held to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police personnel sustained injuries, while the number of injured protesters was 60. A young woman injured in police action is on ventilator support at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, PTI quoted hospital sources as saying on Tuesday. The woman sustained injuries on Monday.
Rahul, Priyanka stage sit-in
On Tuesday, the Gandhi siblings, accompanied by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, protested outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Kalyan Marg residence demanding his resignation. They were joined by several party MPs and leaders, who raised slogans against Modi.
The Congress leaders earlier met some of the students injured in Monday's police action at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. Despite Monday's police action, protesters camped at Jantar Mantar through the night braving heavy rains. On Tuesday morning, volunteers cleaned the protest site, while CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters injured in the police action.
'Girls beaten up by male police officers'
Heavy security remained in place around the protest venue as volunteers were seen cleaning the stage, the only structure left standing after police removed the tents and other temporary installations on Monday.
In an X post, Dipke apologised to those injured in the crackdown.
"I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten up by male police officers. We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police," he wrote.
"To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for the deaths of more than 20 students, the government was willing to spill the blood of many more young students," Dipke alleged.
"If you were injured and see this, please DM me. I want to speak to you personally and apologise. We will keep fighting for all of you," he said in another post, while separately describing the developments as, "Not a democracy." CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said activist Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike had entered its 24th day.
"Sonam Wangchuk is on the 24th day of his hunger strike. He is still fighting for us. We won't stop. Pradhan has to be sacked," Ranka said in a post on X.
Monday's protest
Monday saw thousands of protesters, carrying placards and the tricolour, fanning out across the city and chanting slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Jai Bhim, "Vande Mataram" and "Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa Do".
As the Delhi Police cracked down on the protesters, the CJP alleged brutality and accused the security personnel of using excessive force against protesters during its "Sansad Chalo" march, alleging that several students were injured and Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, was pushed around. CJP also claimed that pellet guns were used on protesters.
Police instead accused the protesters of attacking security personnel with stones and other objects, attempting to breach barricades and vandalising government property.
FIR filed, security tightened
Delhi Police have registered four FIRs so far and are in the process of filing two more in connection with violence, vandalism and other incidents during the "Sansad Chalo", PTI said quoting sources.
Security has also been beefed up across the national capital with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel visible at sensitive locations.
Read our related stories:
A warning shot for 2029? Why Delhi protests hold key for Opposition too
Why CJP’s protest stands apart from previous mass movements
CJP protests in pictures: The day ‘Chalo Sansad’ march turned Delhi into a battlefield
CJP conundrum: Is it just a political 'pest' to get swatted away?
Follow this space for more live updates from the protest and also Parliament's Monsoon Session.
Live Updates
- 21 July 2026 10:40 AM IST
Delhi Police file 5 FIRs over Jantar Mantar protest violence
Delhi Police have registered five FIRs in connection with the violence, stone-pelting and vandalism reported during Monday's protest at Jantar Mantar, while investigators examine whether the unrest was part of a pre-planned conspiracy.
According to police sources, the cases have been lodged at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
One FIR relates to the alleged unauthorised use of a drone during the Parliament session, while another concerns an alleged conspiracy behind the violence. Additional cases involve accusations of obstructing government work, assaulting police personnel and damaging public property.
Police said more than 250 videos, including CCTV, drone, body-camera and mobile phone footage, are being analysed to identify those involved.
Investigators are also examining whether the violence was organised through WhatsApp or Telegram groups and whether those identified have previous criminal records.
Officials said more FIRs could be registered as the investigation progresses.
- 21 July 2026 10:37 AM IST
CJP alleges police brutality during 'Sansad chalo' march
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Tuesday alleged that protesters were subjected to police violence during the group's march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament a day earlier.
Speaking to ANI, Ranka claimed, "It was just the Police who used lathis. Our youths were beaten up, their heads cracked open, they were dragged on streets. Sonam sir's wife Gitanjali ma'am's hair was pulled in order to drag her out of truck...Ribs of one of our volunteers was shattered."
He said the protesters had “never expected or seen such brutality”, alleging that the Delhi Police had “crossed all limits.”
Ranka further claimed that the police action would only strengthen the movement. “Clearly, they were given instructions to beat up people….More number of people will come to Delhi. We will not move from here until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he said.
- 21 July 2026 10:09 AM IST
Diljit Dosanjh backs students over NEET protest crackdown
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on Tuesday voiced support for students protesting over alleged NEET irregularities, urging the authorities to address their concerns instead of using force against them.
The appeal came a day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised the "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi, where thousands demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks and corruption in the education system. Police intervened to stop the march, detaining protesters and dispersing the gathering.
Breaking his silence, Dosanjh wrote on Instagram, "What happened today was very wrong. Students should not have been treated like this. I request the authorities to listen to the students' demands."
The actor said he was aware his remarks could invite criticism. "I have already been labelled an 'anti-national' several times. Even now, I know I will be called anti-national again...After the farmers' protest, I faced a lot of backlash and legal problems that I still cannot even discuss," he said.
Several film personalities, including Hrithik Roshan, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Sonakshi Sinha and Shabana Azmi, have also expressed support for the students.
- 21 July 2026 10:04 AM IST
Watch: Chandra Shekhar Aazad protests in Parliament premises over paper leak issue
Aazad Samaj Party–Kanshi Ram chief and Member of Parliament Chandra Shekhar Aazad staged a protest within the Parliament premises on Tuesday, raising the alleged examination paper leak issue and condemning the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party's protest march held a day earlier.
Aazad also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the controversy surrounding the examination irregularities.
- 21 July 2026 10:00 AM IST
Kapil Sibal slams Nadda over student protest remarks
Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Tuesday criticised the Centre over its response to the ongoing student protests, taking exception to Union Minister and BJP president J.P. Nadda's remarks that protesters had, for the first time, proposed talks with the government.
Responding to Nadda's statement in a post on X, Sibal questioned the government's approach and accused it of ignoring the concerns raised by the fasting students.
“Nadda : “…for the first time a proposal came from the protesters to hold talks with the government….” How arrogant ! Our fasting children’s proposals were known to all What was the government doing?" Sibal wrote.
- 21 July 2026 9:55 AM IST
Congress slams police action on 'Sansad chalo' protest
The Congress on Tuesday criticised the police action during the Cockroach Janta Party-led "Sansad Chalo" march over alleged examination irregularities, calling it "a shameful chapter" in what it described as the government's treatment of the country's youth.
In a post on X, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "those who were beating the country's youth today under orders from the powers that be will, tomorrow, have to face the 'lathi' of the Constitution."
The CJP alleged that Delhi Police used excessive force to stop protesters from reaching Parliament, claiming several students were injured and activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, was pushed.
Delhi Police denied the allegation, calling reports of an assault "completely false and misleading" and stating, "No individuals were subjected to targeted assault."
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also attacked the Centre, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi the "most anti-youth" prime minister and alleging, "152 paper leaks. 7.5 crore students victimised. And not a single guilty person punished."
- 21 July 2026 9:48 AM IST
Sonam Wangchuk's health stable, monitoring continues: Hospital
A health bulletin issued on Tuesday by Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital said activist Sonam Wangchuk remains under medical care and is being closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
According to the hospital, "At present, Shri Wangchuk's vital parameters remain stable." However, doctors said his blood sugar levels continue to be below the normal range.
The bulletin added that tests conducted on a blood sample collected on Monday night showed "His serum potassium level... stands at 3.2 mEq/L." It also noted that Wangchuk continues to suffer from persistent pancytopenia, a condition marked by anaemia and reduced leukocyte counts, reported the Hindustan Times.
The hospital said these findings require ongoing observation, stating that "These clinical and laboratory parameters warrant continued close monitoring through serial investigations."
- 21 July 2026 9:43 AM IST
CJP's Abhijit Dipke apologises to supporters after Delhi protest clash
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke on Tuesday apologised to supporters following a protest in Delhi, expressing regret over the injuries sustained by demonstrators during the police action.
In a post on X, Dipke wrote, "I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers."
He also accepted responsibility for not doing enough to safeguard those who took part in the protest.
"We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police," he said.
Dipke accused the government of using excessive force while providing security to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. "To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for the deaths of more than 20 students, the Govt was willing to spill the blood of many more young students," he alleged.
He also appealed to those who were injured during the protest to get in touch with him directly.
"If you were injured and see this, please DM me. I want to speak to you personally and apologise," Dipke said.
Ending his message, he vowed to continue the campaign, writing, "We will keep fighting for all of you."
- 21 July 2026 9:39 AM IST
Watch: Security tightened outside Dharmendra Pradhan's Delhi residence
Security has been stepped up outside the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi. Authorities have deployed additional personnel in the area as a precautionary measure.
- 21 July 2026 9:36 AM IST
Delhi traffic advisory issued ahead of Kisan Ghat protest
Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday released a traffic advisory ahead of a demonstration scheduled to take place at Kisan Ghat from 8.30 am, warning commuters of possible diversions and traffic congestion across several parts of the city.
The advisory said traffic restrictions would be introduced as required to maintain smooth vehicular movement and ensure public safety during the event.
Authorities indicated that diversions could be implemented at Delhi Gate, Rajghat Crossing, Guru Nanak Chowk, Shantivan Chowk, Rajghat DTC Depot and the IP Flyover, depending on the traffic situation.
Commuters were also asked to avoid routes including Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome Road, Rajghat DTC Depot Road, Rajghat DTC Bypass Road and nearby stretches, where the gathering is expected to disrupt normal traffic flow.
The Traffic Police advised travellers heading to the airport, railway stations and neighbouring areas to leave early, factor in additional travel time and rely on navigation apps for live traffic updates.
Motorists were further requested to follow instructions issued by traffic personnel, use only authorised parking spaces and refrain from parking vehicles along the roadside.
Acknowledging that the restrictions could cause temporary inconvenience, the advisory appealed to the public to cooperate with traffic officials and comply with traffic regulations to help ensure smoother movement across the capital.

