Credit The Hindu
NEW DELHI — Chaos erupted at the historic Jantar Mantar protest site on Saturday afternoon after a fresh wave of violence broke out shortly following the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. What began as a gathering celebrating the minister’s exit quickly turned chaotic as a section of demonstrators allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, leaving a senior Delhi Police official and multiple personnel injured.
Among those injured during the sudden turn of events was Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Anil Shukla, along with two other police officers who were actively monitoring crowd control at the site. Security forces deployed at the venue responded by firing tear gas shells and executing a mild lathi-charge to restore order and disperse the aggressive crowd.
Escalation Following High-Stakes Political Exit
The unrest unfolded around 3:00 PM on Saturday, just hours after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation. The resignation had come after weeks of nationwide student agitation and protests spearheaded by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) surrounding examination irregularities and the controversial NEET-UG testing process.
Initial reports from the site indicated that news of Pradhan’s step-down was met with jubilation among the assembled crowd. Activists and leaders initially hailed the resignation as a major democratic victory. However, the celebratory atmosphere quickly disintegrated when a section of the gathering turned hostile toward senior police officers who were moving closer to regulate barricades and secure the perimeter.
According to police sources, senior officers—including Special CP Anil Shukla—were leading from the front to maintain security and manage crowd movement. Without immediate provocation, a segment of the demonstrators reportedly began raising aggressive slogans before pelting heavy stones toward the law enforcement cordons.
“As officers moved closer to the protesters to maintain order, a group allegedly began pelting stones without any provocation. The situation was quickly met with necessary force to prevent further escalation,” stated a senior Delhi Police official.
Injuries and Security Operations
Special CP Anil Shukla sustained injuries during the stone-pelting and was immediately evacuated by security detail to a nearby medical facility for prompt care. Two additional officers, including field supervisors who suffered head injuries, were also rushed to hospital care. Authorities later confirmed that all injured personnel were in stable condition.
To bring the volatile situation under control, security personnel used targeted tear gas canisters to create a buffer zone between the crowd and the police lines. A controlled, mild lathi-charge followed, successfully pushing back the violent agitators and securing the immediate vicinity around Jantar Mantar within minutes.
By late evening, police confirmed that the protest site had been fully secured, though a heavy police and paramilitary presence remained stationed across strategic entry points in the New Delhi district to avert any further flare-ups.
Protest Leadership Refuses to Back Down
The violence occurred despite statements from CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke asserting that while Minister Pradhan’s resignation marked a significant milestone, the overarching movement would not disband immediately. Speaking to supporters shortly before the clashes, Dipke reiterated that the organization maintained additional core demands.
Among their remaining demands, the CJP is seeking ₹1 crore in financial compensation for families of students affected by exam-related stress and suicides, alongside an official inquiry into police conduct during earlier demonstrations.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has also been observing a fast at Jantar Mantar, expressed support for the political accountability demonstrated by the resignation while calling for sustained peaceful conduct. He urged all participating groups to shift focus toward long-term educational reforms without resorting to violence or confrontation.
Police Investigation and Broader Impact
Delhi Police have registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) across various stations in the New Delhi district in connection with the ongoing agitations and Saturday’s assault on law enforcement. Officials revealed that over 15 FIRs have been filed so far, with authorities closely reviewing video footage, CCTV recordings, and media broadcasts from Jantar Mantar to identify the individuals responsible for stone-pelting.
Cumulative figures released by law enforcement indicate that more than 200 police personnel and approximately 65 protesters have sustained injuries across various phases of the weeks-long demonstration.
Senior officers continue to monitor the ground situation in the capital, emphasizing that while peaceful assembly remains protected, strict legal action will be taken against those attempting to disrupt law and order.
