GUWAHATI: The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' protest march was stopped by police in the national capital on Monday, July 20, amid heavy security arrangements, while activist Sonam Wangchuk continued to remain at Safdarjung Hospital after being removed from Jantar Mantar last week.
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Several political leaders and public figures, including Chandrashekhar Azad, MP Mahua Moitra, actors Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi, joined the protest at Jantar Mantar.
As a precautionary measure, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed five metro stations, Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth, citing security concerns. In a post on X, the DMRC said the stations would remain closed until further instructions.
The Delhi Police had denied permission for the march to Parliament, which coincided with the opening day of the Monsoon Session. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force across the New Delhi district.
In a statement on X, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said protest marches, processions, demonstrations and assemblies of five or more persons are prohibited in the district, except at the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar and only with prior permission.
Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel used lathis to disperse protesters and prevent them from marching towards Parliament after they attempted to move beyond the designated protest area.
Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for more than 20 days, remained at Safdarjung Hospital. He has stated that he will end his fast only if the Centre accepts responsibility for recent failures in the education system or if Members of Parliament assure him that the issue will be raised during the Monsoon Session.
Wangchuk was removed from Jantar Mantar by the Delhi Police on Saturday and shifted to Safdarjung Hospital. He has alleged that he is being kept under "illegal detention" at the hospital, a claim that authorities have not publicly responded to.