Thousands of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters marched toward Parliament in New Delhi on July 20, 2026, protesting alleged NEET examination irregularities. The demonstration triggered widespread security lockdowns, including metro station closures and the suspension of mobile internet services in central Delhi, as protesters clashed with police near Jantar Mantar.
Security Lockdown and Internet Shutdowns
The Chalo Sansad
march, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, faced significant state intervention. As thousands gathered near Jantar Mantar, authorities deployed heavy security, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and implemented prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, according to m.thewire.in.
Protesters reported a widespread loss of connectivity beginning around 10:30 am. MediaNama confirmed through on-site reporting that mobile internet was effectively cut off.
The CJP alleged that these disruptions were intentional efforts to suppress the protest. In a post on X, the party stated, The party claimed the move was aimed at preventing updates from reaching the public as thousands gathered near Jantar Mantar for the protest,
as reported by timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
For more on this story, see Delhi Police Use Force Against CJP Protesters Demanding Minister Resignation.
Clashes at Jantar Mantar and Parliamentary Disruption
Tension peaked around 11:25 am when demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades near Parliament Street. According to hindustantimes.com, police utilized a baton charge to disperse the crowd, resulting in minor injuries to both security personnel and protesters. Approximately 10 to 15 individuals were detained.
Inside the Parliament complex, the issue of the NEET examination paper leak moved to the floor. Tamil OneIndia reported that Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan alleged that proceedings were systematically adjourned every 30 minutes to prevent lawmakers from engaging with the protesters outside. He further claimed that internet and WhatsApp services were restricted within the Parliament building itself throughout the day.
The Delhi Police, however, disputed reports of excessive force. In an official statement, they maintained that the situation was handled professionally and requested the public not to be misled by rumors regarding violence or mass detentions.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) has publicly condemned the shutdown, noting that no suspension order was made available to the public. The IFF pointed out that this lack of transparency violates the procedural safeguards established by the Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020), which requires suspension orders to be published and justified in writing.
This follows our earlier report, Sonam Wangchuk hunger strike LIVE: Wangchuk continues his fast in hospital; CJP’s Dipke claims.
The IFF also raised concerns regarding the potential use of network jammers at the site, stating that such equipment lacks a clear legal framework for use in suspending telecommunication services.
Status of CJP Leadership and Sonam Wangchuk
Amid the chaos, there were signs of shifting political dynamics. CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka confirmed that the government had reached out for formal talks, with the party planning to meet Union Minister JP Nadda. Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke ended his hunger strike after being persuaded by the father of Riya Thapa, a NEET student who died by suicide.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, currently under medical observation at Safdarjung Hospital, continued to support the movement from his bedside.
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