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India's Cockroach Party-led protest march to Parliament: What we know so far
AFP videos showed Indian security personnel responded with cane charges and tear gas was dispersed; however, Delhi Police denied that any violence or detentions took place at Jantar Mantar
- PUBLISHED: Mon 20 Jul 2026, 9:16 PM UPDATED: Thu 23 Jul 2026, 10:28 AM
India's Cockroach Janta Party called for a protest march from Delhi's Jantar Mantar to Parliament on July 20, resignation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendhra Pradhan. As Delhi Police denied permission and defiant students turned up in the thousands, here's what we know so far.
What prompted the protest march to Indian Parliament?
India's CJP, a satirical party, was first formed due to youth's anger over Neet exam paper leak, and other education-related fiascos including CBSE's Grade 12 results controversy. They have organised sit-in protests at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Pradhan. On June 28, prominent Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk joined them, and began an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity.
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On the 21st day of his fast, July 18, Delhi authorities moved Wangchuk to a hospital for "essential medical care", with the police citing court orders. However, protestors, Wangchuk himself, and his wife Gitanjali have dubbed it "illegal detention."
A day later, CJP called for a peaceful march 'Chalo Sansad' (translation: Let's go to Parliament), in support for Wangchuk. The procession coincides with the first day of Parliament's monsoon session.
Did Delhi Police allow the protest?
On July 19, Delhi Police issued a public advisory, stating no permission has been sought or granted for the march to Parliament.
The authority said a prohibitory order was in force in New Delhi district under Section 163 of the BNSS, India's primary criminal law. This section prohibits protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more people.
Delhi Police said tight security was in place, and that any person violating prohibitory orders shall be liable for prosecution.
The police also issued a traffic advisory on July 20, stating "special traffic arrangements" will be in place during the moon session of Parliament. It also listed a number of affected roads, junctions, and locations to be avoided.
Delhi Police said 118 security and police personnel were injured. According to Reuters, Delhi Police also said 60 protesters were injured.
Tear gas, lathi charge
Thousands of students turned up in the protests at Jantar Mantar, defiant in the face of Delhi Police's 'no permission'. Protestors said, and AFP videos showed, Indian security personnel responded with cane charges and tear gas was dispersed.
Youth demonstrators said they were ill-treated despite protesting peacefully. Scores of police and paramilitary personnel turned out across the capital, stopping protesters as they chanted and waved the national flag, Reuters reported. The ensuing scuffle resulted in injuries on both sides.
Indian media reported that the protest march was prevented, with demonstrators unable to reach Parliament, as roads around Jantar Mantar were barricaded, and protestors were detained.
However, Delhi Police denied that any violence or detentions took place at Jantar Mantar, and said that the "protest is being handled professionally."
Protests also took place in Bangalore and in Mumbai, where police detained demonstrators and took them away in vans, Reuters witnesses said. In Goa, scores of people held a candlelight vigil shouting slogans demanding Modi's resignation, Reuters reported.
Have officials responded to student demands?
In what can be seen as a breakthrough, Indian Health Minister J.P. Nadda received a proposal from the protestors to hold talks with the government. He said the meeting with the young leaders "took place in a cordial atmosphere".
Discussions with the CJP representatives took place from 11.50am, and the party submitted a written petition to the minister around 4pm Indian time, Nadda said. He urged the protestors to end their sit-in, and "assist the administration in restoring normalcy."
Meanwhile, on July 22, India's education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that Prime Minister Modi's administration was committed to addressing the concerns of protesting youth and exam reforms, in a sign that the government was beginning to respond to growing protests.
The comments by Pradhan were his first since the youth-led movement launched a protest in New Delhi last month seeking his resignation over the leak of medical school test papers that was linked to several student suicides.
"Our government remains 100 per cent committed to discussing Neet and addressing every genuine concern of our youth on the floor of the house," Pradhan said in a post on X late on Tuesday, referring to the medical school entrance test.
"We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering," he added.
Sonam Wangchuk to be transferred to Medanta
Delhi High Court has allowed Wangchuk to be transferred to private hospital Medanta, his wife Gitanjali confirmed, stating it was the hospital of their choice.
On July 20, in an update on his X account through Gitanjali, Wangchuk said the police "brutally and cruelly" treated students who were peacefully protesting.
Wangchuk said he will continue his fast. He added that he will not stop until students are given an opportunity to present their demands to Parliament, or until Parliamentarians meet him in the hospital and assure him that the CJP's demands will be the main topic of the monsoon session.
Wangchuk said he was very "emotional and encouraged" since protesting students stayed on a peaceful path despite being provoked.
Modi announces fast-track courts to probe Neet paper leaks
After days of protests and clashes between students and police officials, Indian PM Modi announced on July 23 that the government would set up fast-track courts to ensure "swift and stringent punishment" to prosecute people involved in exam paper leaks.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard," wrote Narendra Modi in a statement on X, a first from the nation's leader since the Cockroach Janta Party-led marches began in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in thisâ¦
In response to Modi's statement, the CJP has demanded the resignation of the education minister.
Internet Freedom Foundation condemns shutdown in parts of Delhi
The Indian digital rights advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation condemned the internet shutdown in parts of Central Delhi. It noted that no suspension order has been made public, and that an "unpublished order is an unaccountable order".
The organisation reported that mobile internet was switched off, and urged the "immediate restoration" of all telecommunication services in the capital and an end to internet shutdowns across India. IFF said it was aware of reports that indicate the deployment of network jammers in some areas, including near Jantar Mantar.
The voices gathered at Jantar Mantar, and the residents of the national capital, need to be heard the loudest, not silenced en masse
Internet Freedom Foundation
"A shutdown timed to a protest restricts the freedoms of speech and assembly at the very moment they matter most," the foundation said. The IFF also pointed out that the shutdown affects not just protestors but common people trying to make a living, including daily wage earners and small traders who rely on the internet for digital payments.
The organisation called upon Indian and Delhi governments to:
Immediately restore all suspended telecommunication and internet services in Central Delhi.
Publish forthwith every suspension order passed on or around 20 July 2026, together with the reasons recorded in writing
Disclose the issuing authority, the grounds, the precise areas and services covered, and the period of operation, and clarify whether network jammers were deployed and under what legal authority
Place the order before the Review Committee within five days as required by the Rules, and make its findings public
Reform Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to provide for independent prior authorisation and real consequences for unlawful suspensions.
IFF said it will file applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 seeking copies of the suspension orders and the records of the Review Committee, and is examining further legal remedies.
Poojaraj Maniyeri is a Digital Journalist who loves turning everyday conversations into news stories. She is also a typical bookworm, and brings a novel with her everywhere she goes.