Thousands gather at Jantar Mantar ahead of CJP’s march to Parliament

Thousands of people gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday (July 19, 2026) ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned march to Parliament and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan even as the Delhi Police issued a prohibitory order against marches, demonstrations and gatherings of five or more people outside the designated protest area with prior permission.

Jantar Mantar protest LIVE updates – 19 July 2026

The unprecedented turnout, which spread to the streets surrounding Jantar Mantar, came a day after activist Sonam Wangchuk was suddenly taken away by police and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital against her will.

Meanwhile, no permission has been given for the CJP’s planned march to Parliament on Monday, July 20, where both houses will meet for the Monsoon Session, potentially leading to a showdown between the huge crowds and the heavy security arrangements expected to be met in the morning. The deployment of security personnel with riot weapons in the national capital has led to the CJP calling for more arrivals in the area.

“Prohibition order under Article 163 of BNSS is in force in New Delhi Zone. Accordingly, protest marches, processions, demonstrations and gatherings of five or more persons are strictly prohibited except the designated protest area at Jantar Mantar with prior permission,” Delhi Police said in an advisory.

CJP’s 1.5 kilometer march is planned to start from Jantar Mantar protest site at 9 am, pass through Patel Chowk junction and end at the new Parliament building.

Mr. Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali J. Angmo, announced at Jantar Mantar that the activist’s fast would end on Monday; “only if political leaders meet him and assure him that education and accountability have become the central issue of the Monsoon Session”.He had earlier shared a handwritten note from Mr Wangchuk declaring the march to Parliament as “India’s 2nd freedom movement”.

Fellow Attorney General Chetan Sharma told the court that Mr Wangchuk was taking sugar-free oral rehydration salts but continued to refuse intravenous vitamins or saline drips. Ms Angmo shared a handwritten note from Mr Wangchuk declaring the march as “India’s 2nd freedom movement”. Later in the evening, Ms. Angmo announced at Jantar Mantar that Mr. Wangchuk’s fast would end on Monday “only if political leaders meet with him and assure him that education and accountability will be made the main issue of the Session.” Mr Wangchuk had gone on strike demanding Mr Pradhan’s resignation.

support marches

Large rallies attended by hundreds of people were held in many parts of the country, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Nashik and Jammu. The march in Mumbai was led by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray. In Guwahati, the All Assam Students’ Union held a candlelight protest in support of Mr. Wangchuk.

Roopak Ikhe, a junior doctor at a government medical college in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, was suspended from duty for allegedly organizing a march in support of Mr Wangchuk. Sanjay Khatri, Principal of Maharaja Suheldeo Autonomous Government Medical College, informed the local media that an inquiry committee has been formed to investigate the matter.

More than a dozen students and others continued their hunger strike on Sunday over alleged exam irregularities. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke completed the two-day fast he started immediately after Mr Wangchuk’s transfer. Early in the morning, protesters formed a human chain to prevent fasting members of the All India Students Association (AISA), affiliated with the CPI (ML) Liberation, from being transported to the hospital.

Several high-profile Opposition figures and celebrities arrived at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to express their support for the CPI’s protest. Among those who attended the demonstration throughout the day were former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad, Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad and Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra.

“This is young people fighting for their rights at Jantar Mantar,” actor Prakash Raj said in a video released from the stage after taking the stage late in the afternoon. Actor Shabana Azmi met with Mr. Dipke and protesting AISA students. Actor Swara Bhasker also came to the protest and expressed her support for the cause.

(With contributions from Rahul Karmakar and Mayank Kumar.)