Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised the Narendra Modi-led Centre over the police action against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters attempting to march to Parliament during the opening day of the Monsoon Session, calling the lathicharge on students “an attack on democracy”.
His remarks came after Delhi Police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered for the CJP’s “Sansad Chalo” march despite prohibitory orders and a denial of permission. The protest, which drew thousands of students, activists and civil society members to central Delhi, was organised to press for action over alleged examination paper leaks, youth unemployment and other student-related concerns.
While opposition parties accused the government of suppressing democratic dissent, Delhi Police maintained that the march was unauthorised and that force was used after demonstrators attempted to breach security barricades near Parliament.
The Centre had not officially responded to Kharge’s criticism at the time of writing, although Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reportedly met representatives of the protest movement and assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the government.
Opposition Condemns Police Action
The political temperature rose sharply both inside and outside Parliament as images of police personnel using batons and tear gas against protesters circulated widely on television and social media. Addressing reporters as Parliament convened, Kharge said, “Lathicharge on students is an attack on democracy. This government is not capable of staying in power.”
He alleged that the Centre was attempting to silence young people raising legitimate concerns over examination irregularities and unemployment, adding that peaceful dissent should not be met with force. The issue was also raised by opposition members inside Parliament, who demanded a discussion on both the police action and the concerns raised by protesting students.
The CJP’s “Sansad Chalo” march followed weeks of demonstrations that gained national attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding accountability over repeated examination paper leaks, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, justice for students allegedly affected by recruitment and examination irregularities, and compensation for families of students who reportedly died by suicide due to examination-related stress.
Following Wangchuk’s hospitalisation, the movement intensified, with organisers calling for supporters across the country to assemble in Delhi on the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Anticipating large crowds, Delhi Police had refused permission for the march and significantly tightened security around Parliament. Authorities erected multiple barricades, deployed heavy police contingents, restricted movement in the Parliament precinct and temporarily closed several Delhi Metro stations as a precaution.
Police officials stated that protesters attempted to cross security barricades despite repeated warnings, forcing officers to intervene to maintain law and order. They reiterated that no permission had been granted for the march and defended the action as necessary to protect Parliament’s security during the ongoing session.
The confrontation triggered criticism from several opposition leaders beyond the Congress. Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage in dialogue with students instead of suppressing protests, while Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of responding with force rather than addressing genuine public grievances. Together, opposition parties argued that the handling of the protest reflected shrinking democratic space and intolerance towards peaceful dissent.
Student Movement Gains Momentum
Monday’s protest represents the latest chapter in what has become one of the country’s most prominent youth-led movements in recent months. Initially centred on allegations of competitive examination paper leaks and recruitment irregularities, the campaign has gradually expanded to include broader concerns surrounding unemployment, transparency in public recruitment, educational reforms and democratic accountability.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which began as a youth-driven political platform, has rapidly grown into a nationwide movement capable of mobilising supporters across several states. In recent weeks, demonstrations have been reported from multiple cities, with students and civil society groups expressing solidarity with the demands raised by Wangchuk and other protest leaders.
According to reports, support protests were also organised in cities including Nagpur, indicating that the movement has spread well beyond the national capital. Protest organisers have stated that they intend to continue demonstrations until their demands are addressed, despite Monday’s police crackdown.
The government’s position, however, has remained focused on security and maintaining public order. Delhi Police have consistently maintained that the organisers neither sought nor obtained permission to march towards Parliament and that officers acted only after protesters attempted to breach restricted zones.
Officials have argued that security arrangements during Parliament’s Monsoon Session require strict enforcement because of the sensitive nature of the area.
While there has been no formal response from the Prime Minister’s Office or the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Kharge’s criticism, Media reported that Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held discussions with representatives linked to the protest movement and assured them that their demands would be communicated within the government. No formal agreement or policy announcement has emerged from those discussions so far.
The developments are expected to intensify political confrontation during the Monsoon Session, with opposition parties likely to continue pressing the government over both the alleged examination crisis and the police response to protesters. As Parliament debates issues affecting education, employment and governance, the protests have added another contentious issue to an already charged political atmosphere.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The events unfolding outside Parliament highlight the delicate balance every democracy must maintain between safeguarding public order and protecting the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Governments have a responsibility to ensure security, particularly around sensitive institutions such as Parliament, but they also carry an equally important obligation to listen to citizens especially young people who seek accountability on issues that directly affect their future. Similarly, protesters have a responsibility to exercise their democratic rights peacefully and within the framework of the law.
Also read: Sonam Wangchuk Ends 23-Day Fast, Vows Nationwide Push for Education Reforms
