Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has publicly apologised to supporters, particularly women protesters, following clashes between demonstrators and Delhi Police during a march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
In a social media post, Dipke said he “could have done better” to protect supporters and alleged that female protesters were “brutally beaten by male police officers”. He further accused the Centre of using force to shield Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whom the protest movement blames for alleged examination-related failures and demands should resign.
Dipke also appealed to anyone injured during the protest to contact him personally so he could apologise. Delhi Police, however, rejected allegations of excessive force, stating that protesters turned “unruly, aggressive and violent” and attempted to breach security arrangements despite repeated warnings.
The force maintained that only the minimum necessary action was taken to enforce prohibitory orders. Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticised the police response, while the CJP announced that its agitation would continue at Jantar Mantar, signalling that the movement is far from over.
Protest Turns Emotional
Dipke’s apology came a day after thousands of students and supporters attempted to march towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
The protest escalated into clashes after demonstrators attempted to cross police barricades near restricted zones around Parliament. According to multiple reports, Delhi Police deployed barricades, tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, while several protesters alleged that excessive force was used against peaceful demonstrators.
In his social media statement, Dipke wrote, “I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten 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 also claimed that the government was “willing to spill the blood of many more young students” to protect Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the minister of being responsible for the deaths of more than 20 students.
However, these allegations reflect the CJP’s position and have not been established by any judicial finding. The Union government has not accepted responsibility for the deaths, and there is no official determination directly linking the minister to the reported student suicides.
Dipke also appealed directly to injured protesters, saying, “If you were injured and see this, please DM me. I want to speak to you personally and apologise.” Videos circulating on social media showed several protesters receiving medical attention, although authorities have not released an official figure for the number of people injured. Independent verification of every video shared online remains pending.
Delhi Police defended its actions in an official statement, saying protesters became “unruly, aggressive and violent” after ignoring repeated warnings and attempting to violate prohibitory orders around Parliament.
Police maintained that force was used only after demonstrators refused to disperse and tried to breach security arrangements. The force has not publicly responded to Dipke’s allegations regarding female protesters or the specific claim that male officers assaulted women during the crackdown.
Movement Gains Political Momentum
The latest confrontation marks another significant chapter in a protest movement that has grown steadily over recent weeks. Initially focused on alleged examination paper leaks and demands for greater accountability in India’s education system, the campaign has expanded into a broader youth-led movement calling for transparency, institutional reforms and political accountability.
The protests gathered additional momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the campaign through a prolonged hunger strike, drawing national attention to the demands of students and young job aspirants.
Monday’s Parliament march coincided with the opening of the Monsoon Session, significantly increasing public and political attention. International media described it as one of the largest youth-led demonstrations witnessed in recent years, with participants travelling from several states to take part.
Opposition leaders criticised the police action, calling it an attack on democratic rights and the constitutional freedom to protest peacefully. Several leaders demanded accountability for the injuries sustained by demonstrators and questioned whether the use of force was proportionate.
Despite the crackdown, the CJP has made it clear that it does not intend to withdraw its agitation. Dipke concluded his statement by telling supporters, “We will keep fighting for all of you,” reaffirming the group’s commitment to continue demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
At the time of publication, neither the Union Education Ministry nor Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had publicly responded to Dipke’s latest apology or his renewed allegations. The conflicting narratives presented by protesters and law enforcement continue to shape public debate, while demands for an independent examination of the events remain.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The right to peaceful protest and the responsibility to maintain public order are both essential pillars of a democratic society. Allegations of police excess, particularly involving women protesters, deserve an impartial, transparent and time-bound inquiry so that facts can be established and accountability ensured where necessary.
At the same time, accusations against public officials should be assessed through evidence and due process rather than public sentiment alone. Moments of confrontation should not overshadow the urgent concerns that brought thousands of students onto the streets in the first place.
Also read: Mallikarjun Kharge Calls Lathicharge on CJP Protesters an ‘Attack on Democracy’
