Fresh clashes between protesters and police near Tolstoy Marg in central Delhi left Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat injured late on Wednesday, deepening tensions around a youth-led agitation over examination paper leaks and demands for ministerial accountability.
Bhagat, the ACP responsible for the Connaught Place area, suffered injuries when stones and bottles were thrown at officers near the Tolstoy Marg traffic signal at about 8.30 pm. He was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for treatment. Police said several personnel were hurt in separate confrontations around Jantar Mantar and adjoining roads.
Security forces used tear gas and batons after groups of demonstrators attempted to move beyond barricades. Videos from the area showed projectiles being thrown towards police lines as officers pushed crowds away from restricted routes. Police alleged that some protesters snatched batons and attacked personnel, while protest organisers accused outsiders of infiltrating the gathering to provoke violence.
The clashes marked another escalation in the month-long campaign led by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, a youth movement that began as an online satire project before developing into a nationwide platform against failures in the competitive examination system.
Thousands of demonstrators have gathered at Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged leaks affecting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for undergraduate medical admissions. The movement is also seeking broader examination reforms, compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide after disrupted tests, and the withdrawal of cases against peaceful protesters.
Police strengthened barricades across central Delhi on Thursday and deployed additional personnel from district units and paramilitary forces. Access to Parliament Street, Janpath, Tolstoy Marg and parts of Connaught Place remained tightly controlled as organisers vowed to continue the sit-in.
Sixteen Delhi Metro stations were closed for security reasons, disrupting travel through the capital’s central business and administrative districts. Interchange facilities remained available at selected stations, but entry and exit restrictions forced commuters to take longer routes or use road transport.
The unrest followed large demonstrations on Monday, when protesters attempted to march towards Parliament despite police restrictions. Tear gas and baton charges were used during confrontations that left scores of protesters and security personnel injured. Police registered several first information reports under provisions covering rioting, assault on public servants and damage to property.
Protesters have alleged excessive force, including assaults on women, journalists and volunteers. Police have rejected several claims circulating online and said edited videos and misleading posts were being used to inflame public anger. Authorities have also opened investigations into footage showing attacks on security personnel.
The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police on petitions alleging disproportionate force during the July 20 demonstrations. The petitions have called for an independent inquiry, preservation of surveillance footage and medical assistance for those injured.
The Supreme Court declined to grant an immediate hearing to a separate petition concerning police action, leaving the dispute to proceed before the High Court.
Political pressure has grown as opposition parties backed the protesters and disrupted parliamentary proceedings. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition figures have accused the government of protecting Pradhan despite repeated examination failures and allegations that confidential papers were sold before scheduled tests.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced plans for fast-track courts to prosecute people involved in examination leaks and corruption. The government has also pointed to arrests, stricter anti-cheating laws and the conduct of replacement examinations as evidence of action against organised fraud.
Those measures have failed to satisfy the CJP, which says administrative reforms cannot replace political responsibility. Its representatives have held an initial round of discussions with Union Health Minister JP Nadda but rejected an invitation for further talks at his residence, insisting that negotiations take place at Jantar Mantar or another neutral venue.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have maintained that the agitation will continue until the government provides written commitments. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the campaign in June and began an indefinite fast, has sought assurances that peaceful protesters will not face punitive action.
