CJP protests in pictures: The day ‘Chalo Sansad’ march turned Delhi into a battlefield
Actors and politicians join thousands of citizens to join hands with CJP protesters while the State unleashes a fierce crackdown as they try to march to Parliament
Rain, tear gas, and barricades couldn't stop them. On Monday (July 20), thousands of students, parents, and elders flooded Delhi's streets, marching towards Parliament in a defiant show of unity demanding accountability as the Monsoon Session kicked off.
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The protesters, including youth and veterans and organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) under the banner "Chalo Sansad", gathered in the Capital for their march. The demonstration was built on an ongoing sit-in at Jantar Mantar. As protesters approached Sansad Marg or Parliament Street, the police had already put up multiple layers of barricades. When demonstrators tried to push through, police responded with lathi-charge and tear gas at several locations of the city.
Both protesters and police personnel were injured in the clashes, and internet services were suspended in parts of Delhi. Protests demanding accountability from the Centre on alleged examination-related irregularities and resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were also staged in other cities such as Bengaluru, Bhopal, Guwahati, Agartala and others.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday said the government held discussions with representatives, claiming they approached it with proposals for talks earlier in the day.
Also read: ‘Is this not our country’: What CJP protesters said as they defied police crackdown
Here are photographs summarising the mood in the Capital and other cities during Monday's protests:
CJP protesters carrying the Tricolour confront security personnel during "Chalo Sansad" march to Parliament in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. photo: PTI
Policemen baton charge CJP supporters during their "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI
CPI(M) members M A Baby, Brinda Karat, and others, with Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters during a protest march, in New Delhi, on July 20, 2026. Photo: @cpimspeak/X via PTI
Police personnel stop CJP supporters as they raise slogans during a protest march, at Sansad Marg, in New Delhi, Monday, July 20, 2026. PTI Photo
Actor and activist Prakash Raj joined the CJP protest demanding educational reforms in the country. Photo: X screengrab/@prakashraaj
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi joins the CJP protest in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: X screengrab/PTI
Students protest in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janta Party's protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in Agartala, Tripura, on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI
One 'Gen Z' protester holds a banner at the CJP's protest march to Parliament in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI
Security personnel fire teargas to disperse CJP protesters during their "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI
TMC MP Mahua Moitra and other political leaders at the CJP protest march site in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: X screengrab/ANI
Academic and activist Yogendra Yadav at the CJP protest site in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: X screengrab/@_YogendraYadav
Youth protesters brave teargas fired by security personnel during their "Chalo Sansad" protest march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI
CJP protesters shield themselves from effects of teargas fired by security personnel during their "Chalo Sansad" march in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. Photo: PTI