Delhi Police reportedly detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Monday. This happened as the party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march pushed closer to Parliament. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das confirmed the detention. He said Dipke was picked up by police as protesters intensified their push towards the Parliament complex.
Das posted on social media that police were cracking down on peaceful protesters. He urged MPs to stand with the students on the streets.
🚨#JustIn: DIPKE HAS BEEN PICKED UP BY THE POLICE!
WE REQUEST ALL MPs TO IMMEDIATELY STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS ON THE STREETS!
THE POLICE IS BRUTALLY CRACKING DOWN AND BEATING UP PEACEFUL PROTESTERS.
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 20, 2026
He also posted an update that after waiting over two hours, him and Ashutosh Ranka finally met JP Nadda for just ten minutes at his residence, where they submitted a written list of demands and received an assurance that he would raise the matter internally.
#UPDATE: After waiting for more than 2 hours, @AshutoshRanka and I just met J.P. Nadda ji at his residence for 10 minutes.
While we submit a written letter with our demands, he has assured us that he will meanwhile speak internally. We are in that process. There is news of mass… https://t.co/GMGBNG71h3
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) July 20, 2026
Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar
The march began at Jantar Mantar early Monday morning. Thousands of supporters, including students and civil society members, joined the demonstration. It coincided with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest ahead of time. Despite this, the crowd swelled through the morning and tried to push past barricades near Raisina Road. Police responded with tear gas and lathi charges to hold the crowd back. Several protesters and police personnel were injured in the clashes that followed.
Some protesters later regrouped outside the Press Club. They raised slogans against the government. The gathering included CJP activists along with student groups linked to Left parties and other political organisations.
Amit Shah meets Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday. Officials said the meeting took place at Pradhan’s office inside the Parliament complex. No details of the discussion were shared publicly.
The meeting came as the CJP intensified pressure for Pradhan’s resignation. The party has accused him of failing to act on alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
Background: Weeks of protest over NEET
The CJP has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20. Its core demands include reforms to the examination system, action against those responsible for NEET irregularities, and justice for affected students.
The protest has drawn in other figures too. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on June 28 in support of the cause. He was later admitted to Safdarjung Hospital. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, has alleged that he is being held there against his will. The Delhi High Court declined to grant him interim relief on Sunday and backed the government’s decision to intervene in his case. She has since moved the court again, seeking his transfer to a private hospital.
Dipke had also been on an indefinite hunger strike of his own. He ended it at Wangchuk’s request to join Monday’s march instead.