The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) call for a march from Jantar Mantar, the site where protesters had camped for a month, saw an overwhelming turnout, with thousands turning up on Monday. But the march soon hit obstacles as security forces used lathi charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd heading towards Parliament.
Aparna Sen show solidarity with the protesting students
Veteran filmmaker Aparna Sen has joined the chorus of support for the ongoing student protests, in solidarity with the youth calling for change. Taking to Instagram, she shared an emotional note that read, “My name is Aparna Sen. I just want to say that last night I learned from our students the meaning of democratic dissent. From them I learned to believe in the constitution and to work for it. I had become like many of us, so demoralized, so depressed, so discouraged, thinking what’s the use of protesting anything. What is the use of asking for everything that we consider a democratic right…”She added: “These students gave me some hope. They showed me that it can be done. They believed in the democratic way, they protested peacefully, non-violently, fully in accordance with the constitution and believed that they would be heard. This was so moving that I … all night last night I just cried. I thought to myself how brave, how resilient, what a lesson we can learn from these children! All I could think was to bless them with all my heart and say ‘shabaash (bravo)!’ We can learn from you, thanks!In the caption, he mentioned, “July 20 was an unforgettable night! Our children showed us the way when we had become blasé. Today I feel outraged by the way these unarmed children were beaten! How dare they! How dare they harm the future of our nation? Some of these children will be our future leaders, doctors, educators, artists and educators instead of them!” This is unacceptable! It’s now or never.”
Delhi Police protesters offer conflicting accounts
Delhi officials say protesters at Monday’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) rally in New Delhi turned violent and refused to leave even after police repeatedly asked them to, breaking existing rules. Protesters tell a different story, saying the Delhi Police attacked them without reason, leaving many injured. Several videos on social media show police beating students with sticks and using tear gas. The protesters also claim that people in plainclothes, without police uniform, also attacked them.
Protests linked to NEET allegations of exam leaks
The CJP-led protests have now dragged on for two weeks, fueled by claims that things have gone wrong in the education system, mainly allegations that NEET exam papers were leaked. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk added her voice to the movement earlier this month, starting a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.