Meet us, CJP tells Govt. as the crowd swells at Jantar Mantar

CJP supporters protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 22, 2026. | Photo credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Thousands of people proceeded to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site at Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), while hundreds more protested outside the entrance towards Sansad Marg.

In the late evening, protesters spilled onto Sansad Marg, the main road connecting Connaught Place and Parliament House, leading to a clash with security personnel. Witnesses said security forces fired at least two tear gas shells in an attempt to disperse the protesters.

CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das told the media that the police had informed them that Union Minister JP Nadda wanted to talk to them. “We were invited to his residence but we categorically refused. We will not go to anyone’s home or office. A janata darbar (public meeting) is held here and if ministers want to talk, they should come to the people,” he said.

He, however, added that if the government had security concerns at the protest site, the CJP representatives were willing to meet at a neutral location near Jantar Mantar, but were still awaiting a response from the government.

The CJP also asked activist Sonam Wangchuk to end her fast. “Your sacrifice has inspired an entire generation. We respectfully request you to end your fast and take care of your health. We promise to continue the fight for justice with even more strength until our demands are met,” the CJP said in an open letter to Mr. Wangchuk.

Tents were further reinforced at the protest site on Wednesday, which were torn down by security forces on Monday (July 20, 2026) evening, and the protesters put them back up on Tuesday (July 21, 2026). Other posters calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and attacking the prime minister were also put up at the site. Dozens of youth came with handwritten posters and handouts with slogans against the government.

As the crowd grew, several announcements were made from the main stage to keep the peace. Calls were made to raise only slogans demanding Mr. Pradhan’s resignation and no offensive slogans.

Hurt but not scared

Some people came to the protest with visible injuries sustained in the police action.

Sachin Rawat, 27, with open wounds on his forehead and arms, said he was injured the day police forcibly removed Mr Wangchuk. “They pushed me and I fell. I didn’t come after that when I was resting but I came back today. The system should change. Dharmendra Pradhan ko resigned karna padega (Pradhan must quit),” he said.

At the end of the main protest area, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, 22, and others distributed sandals to people who had lost or damaged them during the march or at the protest site. “I work as a cashier in a mall store but I have taken leave for the last six days. I will be here until the problem is resolved,” he said, adding that he was also hit with a baton twice on Monday (July 20, 2026) but returned anyway.

“I cast my first vote for the BJP when I was 18. But I no longer support them. The education system should improve. Modi was silent on how students were beaten up by the police. The government should change,” said Mr Singh, who is pursuing B.Com through distance education.

Karan Kumar, 29, who came to the protest site for the first time on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), said it had become a platform for people to vent their anger. “Government schools and education are bad and we can’t get any government job. Then what is the point of staying in this country? All these ministers and MLAs… their children are only studying abroad and not here because the system is bad. But if we say something, we will say Pakistanis. People are frustrated,” Kumar said.

At around 8:00 p.m., hundreds of people continued to pour into the protest site amid chants of “isteefa dho, isteefa dho (withdraw)” and revolutionary songs and drumbeats as the site prepared for another night of protests.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 23:17 IST