Fresh violence erupted in central Delhi on Wednesday evening during a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak, leaving Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat injured after protesters allegedly hurled stones and bottles at police personnel near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place.
According to Delhi Police, the situation escalated around 8.30 pm before being brought under control, while protesters alleged that police first resorted to a lathi charge and fired tear gas shells at students.
Hours later, Delhi Police released CCTV footage from the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” protest, claiming it showed demonstrators pelting stones at police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and vandalising public property. The CJP rejected the police’s version, alleging excessive force against peaceful protesters, including women, and demanding accountability for officers involved.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda urged all political parties not to politicise the alleged paper leak and reiterated that the government was prepared for a detailed discussion in Parliament, even as the Opposition continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan before participating in such a debate.
Fresh Clash, Competing Claims
According to Delhi Police, the latest violence took place near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, where a section of protesters allegedly attacked security personnel with stones and bottles, injuring ACP Vivek Bhagat, who was immediately shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.
Police officials said additional forces were deployed to restore order and maintained that “miscreants” initiated the violence despite adequate security arrangements. On Thursday, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order, Zone-I) Devesh Chandra Srivastava visited RML Hospital to enquire about the condition of injured personnel.
Delhi Police has also maintained that more than 118 police personnel, including senior officers and several women personnel, were injured during the July 20 protest, while around 60 protesters also sustained injuries. In contrast, the CJP disputed the official account, alleging that police used disproportionate force against demonstrators.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that police assaulted peaceful protesters, including women, and alleged that male police personnel manhandled female demonstrators during the march. The party has also demanded action against officers after videos circulated online allegedly showing women protesters being slapped and dragged. These allegations, however, have not been independently verified.
Videos shared across social media presented competing narratives, with footage showing tear gas deployment, police barricades, stone-pelting and large crowds, further intensifying public debate over the conduct of both protesters and law enforcement.
Protest Movement Enters New Phase
The latest confrontation marks another escalation in the ongoing agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak, which has repeatedly witnessed clashes between protesters and police since the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march towards Parliament.
Seeking to reinforce its version of events, Delhi Police released CCTV footage from the earlier protest, stating that it showed demonstrators pelting stones at police and RAF personnel while damaging public property, including petrol pumps and nearby shops.
Officials argued that the visuals corroborated their claim that security personnel came under sustained attack while preventing protesters from breaching security arrangements around Parliament. The CJP, however, has continued to reject these claims and insists that the agitation remains focused on demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities.
Led by activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose indefinite hunger strike has become the symbolic centre of the movement, protesters continue to seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, protection from legal action against participants, and broader reforms to improve transparency in national entrance examinations.
Wangchuk has indicated that he would consider ending his fast if the government assures that no punitive action will be taken against protesters. Meanwhile, security has been significantly tightened across central Delhi, with large deployments of Delhi Police, RAF and paramilitary personnel around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and Connaught Place.
The political confrontation has also spilled into Parliament, where repeated disruptions have continued during the Monsoon Session. While Opposition parties have insisted that Pradhan resign before any discussion on the alleged paper leak, J.P. Nadda has appealed for a comprehensive debate without preconditions, saying, “We should move beyond blame and counter-allegations and discuss this.
The best medium for discussion is Parliament, and we are ready for that discussion. Let there be a thorough discussion, delving into the details. What are the factors leading to the paper leak? Who are the people involved, and how has the Central Government responded?”
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Public protests are a vital part of any democracy, allowing citizens to voice concerns and seek accountability from those in power. Equally, the responsibility to maintain peace rests with both demonstrators and law enforcement agencies. Allegations of violence whether against police personnel or protesters must be investigated impartially, with evidence examined transparently and accountability fixed wherever wrongdoing is established.
As competing narratives continue to emerge through official statements, CCTV footage and social media videos, it is important that public discourse remains guided by verified facts rather than speculation or polarisation. The concerns surrounding the integrity of national examinations deserve a meaningful institutional response, while Parliament remains the appropriate forum for democratic debate and policy reform.
Also read: How JP Nadda Called Students’ Concerns Genuine, Urged Opposition Not To Politicise Paper Leak Crisis
