Protesters Clash with Police During Parliament March in Delhi; Sonam Wangchuk Sets Conditions to End Hunger Strike
New Delhi, 20th July 2026: Tension prevailed at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on Monday as protesters attempting to march towards Parliament were stopped by Delhi Police, leading to clashes, allegations of a police lathi-charge and heightened security across central Delhi.
According to protest organisers, around 30,000 to 35,000 people gathered at Jantar Mantar for the proposed “Chalo Parliament” march. Several protesters allegedly breached barricades and advanced towards Parliament Street before being stopped by security personnel.
Protest organisers alleged that police resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to several demonstrators.
However, Delhi Police denied the allegations, stating that no violence had taken place and that the situation was being handled professionally. Police appealed to the public not to believe rumours or misleading reports circulating on social media.
Security was intensified across the national capital ahead of the march. Large contingents of Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed, while multi-layer barricades were erected around Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations. Police said permission had not been granted for the march towards Parliament and maintained that they were acting to preserve law and order.
Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 23 days and is undergoing treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, announced three conditions for ending his fast. He demanded that the government accept responsibility for failures in the education system and paper leak cases, allow a delegation of protesters to meet Members of Parliament with an assurance that the issue would be raised in Parliament, or alternatively, that MPs visit him at the hospital to provide the same assurance if he is unable to travel due to health reasons.
Doctors at Safdarjung Hospital said Wangchuk’s condition remained stable, although he continued to be under close medical observation.
Several political leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia, Atishi and Sanjay Singh, joined the protest at Jantar Mantar. Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad also reached the protest venue.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has been continuing at Jantar Mantar since June 20 over alleged irregularities in the education system and paper leak cases. Protest organisers said the Parliament march was intended to press for their demands, while police reiterated that any march without permission would not be allowed to proceed.
