NEW DELHI: Protesters participating in the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march clashed with police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel near Jantar Mantar on Monday after attempting to march towards Parliament despite prohibitory orders in force.Police and RAF personnel used lathis to disperse the crowd and prevent the march from proceeding.Security was tightened across the New Delhi district on the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, with Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and other high-security areas.Police said protest marches, processions and assemblies of five or more persons remain prohibited in the New Delhi district, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar with prior permission.According to Delhi Police, the CJP had not sought permission for the proposed march to Parliament. Authorities said elaborate security arrangements had been put in place to ensure public safety, protect government installations and maintain law and order during the Parliament session.Earlier in the day, Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Azad visited the protest site and extended support to the agitators.“As an Indian youth, I understand the pain of the youth. I am here to be their voice and stand with them. Injustice is being done to them. The government is letting this happen. We will fight in Parliament too,” Azad said.Actor Prakash Raj was also present at the protest site.The march was originally announced by activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated during an indefinite hunger strike.From the hospital, Wangchuk said he would end his fast if the government accepted responsibility for alleged failures in the education system, including paper leaks, or if Members of Parliament assured him that the issue would be taken up during the Monsoon Session.Meanwhile, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the organisation remained open to talks with the government on examination reforms but claimed there was still no clarity from the administration despite recent outreach efforts.(With ANI inputs)
