The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical political movement, on Saturday, 25 July urged the Delhi Police to halt what it described as the 'unlawful detaining and intimidation' of citizens attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, where students and others have been protesting for over a month against examination paper leaks and recruitment irregularities. The CJP further alleged that essential supplies — including food, drinking water, and medicines — were being obstructed from reaching demonstrators at the site.

What the CJP Alleged

In a statement shared on X by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, the organisation claimed that Delhi Police had adopted 'increasingly restrictive measures' against those participating in or supporting the ongoing demonstration. The CJP said it 'strongly condemns the increasingly authoritarian actions of the Delhi Police in and around Jantar Mantar.'

The group alleged that citizens were being stopped merely for attempting to join the protest, while volunteers carrying food, drinking water, medicines, and sanitation supplies were reportedly being prevented from accessing the site. 'This is nothing short of laying siege to Jantar Mantar,' the CJP stated.

Background: Over a Month of Protests

According to the CJP's statement, students, parents, teachers, and ordinary citizens have been holding a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar for more than a month, demanding accountability over examination paper leaks, recruitment-related irregularities, and the deaths of students by suicide following the NEET 2026 paper leak controversy. Jantar Mantar has historically served as a designated space for public dissent in the capital.

This comes amid a broader national debate over the integrity of competitive examinations, with the NEET paper leak having already triggered protests across multiple states earlier this year.

Constitutional Argument and Supreme Court Reference

The CJP invoked Supreme Court observations on the right to protest, asserting that 'peaceful protest is an integral part of our constitutional democracy' and that the role of the police is to regulate such assemblies rather than 'suppress them.' The organisation argued that those gathered at Jantar Mantar were exercising their fundamental constitutional rights.

'No democracy can justify preventing food from reaching peaceful protesters. No democracy can justify stopping drinking water. No democracy can justify obstructing medicines or medical assistance. No democracy can justify detaining citizens merely because they wish to stand in solidarity with a peaceful movement,' the statement read.

Demands Placed Before Delhi Police Commissioner

The CJP formally appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to issue immediate directions to officers deployed around the protest site. Its demands include ceasing the alleged unlawful detention and intimidation of citizens, stopping the obstruction of essential supplies, and ensuring access for volunteers, family members, lawyers, journalists, and medical personnel.

The organisation also called on the force to 'refrain from creating an atmosphere of fear and siege around Jantar Mantar' and to uphold every citizen's fundamental right to peacefully assemble and express dissent.

Delhi Police Response

As of the time of reporting, Delhi Police had not issued a public response to the CJP's allegations. NationPress has not independently verified the claims regarding the obstruction of food, water, or access to the protest site.