A 21-year-old woman remained critically ill on ventilator support at Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after suffering injuries during Monday’s “Sansad Chalo” protest, intensifying scrutiny of the police response to the youth-led demonstration.
Doctors were closely monitoring the woman, who was showing signs of improvement but remained in a serious condition. Medical staff said it was too early to assess her prospects of recovery. Another protester was treated for an eye injury reportedly caused by a pellet, while several others admitted after the confrontation have been discharged.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited RML Hospital to meet injured demonstrators and speak with their families. Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda also visited RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals, reviewed treatment arrangements and held discussions with doctors.
The hospital visits came as political pressure mounted over the handling of the march, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP. The group had called on supporters to proceed from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament as part of its campaign over examination irregularities, paper leaks, student suicides and alleged failures in the education system.
Police blocked the procession before it could reach Parliament, citing restrictions on public gatherings and security concerns in the capital’s high-security district. Video footage circulated online showed officers using batons and tear gas as sections of the crowd pushed against barricades. Protest organisers accused the police of using excessive force against students and women.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke issued a public apology to demonstrators who were injured. He said the organisation would continue its campaign but would not immediately attempt another march because participants could again be exposed to police action. The group maintained that its mobilisation had been intended as a peaceful demonstration.
Delhi Police have defended the restrictions surrounding the protest zone, maintaining that demonstrators attempted to breach barricades and enter areas where marching permission had not been granted. Authorities increased security around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and nearby government buildings as protesters continued their sit-in.
The confrontation has transformed a campaign centred on education reform into a wider dispute over policing, political accountability and the right to protest. The CJP movement grew from an online campaign that used the cockroach as a symbol of young people struggling with unemployment, examination failures and limited opportunities. Its demonstrations have since attracted students, professionals, activists and families.
Veteran actor Shabana Azmi, who attended the protest, said she witnessed tear gas being fired and young participants being struck with batons. She described the students as disciplined and said they had remained restrained despite the police action.
The protesters are demanding accountability for alleged examination paper leaks, stronger safeguards for national recruitment and entrance tests, compensation for affected candidates and action over student deaths linked to academic pressure. They have also sought the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that administrative measures announced by the government have failed to restore trust.
Authorities have pointed to criminal investigations, arrests, tighter examination laws and changes in testing procedures as evidence that the government is addressing malpractice. Protesters argue that those measures have not resolved broader concerns about transparency, institutional responsibility and the treatment of candidates whose academic prospects were disrupted.
The agitation has also drawn support from opposition parties seeking to place education and youth unemployment at the centre of the political debate. Rahul Gandhi accused the government of weakening the examination system and called for an apology to students. Government representatives have accused opposition leaders of exploiting the demonstrations for political advantage.
The Delhi High Court was also approached through a petition alleging excessive use of force during the march. The legal challenge seeks scrutiny of the police operation and accountability for injuries sustained by protesters. Proceedings could bring greater attention to questions surrounding permission for the march, crowd-control measures and the proportionality of the response.
Hundreds of supporters remained at Jantar Mantar after the confrontation, with organisers saying the sit-in would continue. The gathering has been subject to close police surveillance, restrictions on movement and repeated announcements warning participants against leaving the designated protest area.
IPA Service
