Injured Delhi Police personnel on Tuesday, 21 July alleged that 'anti-social elements' had infiltrated a march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) toward Parliament, triggering stone pelting, barricade-breaking, and attacks on officers — even as the police force itself faced criticism for its handling of the protest. Around 100 to 150 people reportedly sustained injuries in the violence.

What the Police Said

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anand Kumar Mishra, who said he was personally injured in the stone pelting, stated that his team had made 'elaborate security arrangements' after receiving intelligence through social media about the proposed march. He said organisers were repeatedly contacted and asked to share their plan — including the expected number of participants and the route — but provided no information.

'When we received information through social media about the proposed protest, we repeatedly contacted the organisers and asked them to share their blueprint, including the expected number of participants, the route, and other details. However, they did not provide any information. Yesterday, they suddenly began marching according to their own plan,' Mishra said.

He alleged that during the march, 'some unruly elements with a different agenda turned violent,' breaking barricades, damaging private and police vehicles, assaulting personnel, pulling officers into the crowd, tearing uniforms, and bringing sticks. 'Despite exercising maximum restraint and repeatedly announcing that the march was illegal and asking them to stop, they refused to comply,' he added.

Ground Account from Injured Officers

Assistant Sub-Inspector Datta Barade, who sustained a head injury during the protest, said the crowd had swelled to nearly 10,000 people. He described repeated attempts by police to enforce prohibitory orders before the situation turned violent.

'They forcibly broke through the first barricade and moved ahead. They also broke the next barricade, after which they reached near the Parliament. We again made every effort to stop and convince them, but they started pelting stones at the police,' Barade said. He added that one stone struck him on the head, after which he was transported to Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital in a PCR van.

Barade also alleged: 'There might be some anti-social elements among the crowd who defied orders of the police and pelted stones. They were not even ready to listen to the CJP members.'

Delhi Police officer Naveen Ola corroborated the account, saying the crowd turned unruly while officers were also trying to ensure the safety of women and children present. 'They started pelting stones at us, and I suffered a head injury,' Ola said, adding that the Police Commissioner visited them at RML Hospital during treatment.

The Backdrop: Allegations of 'Brutal Action'

The police version comes against the backdrop of sharp criticism levelled at the force for allegedly using excessive force against protesters during the CJP march to Parliament. The injured officers' accounts represent the police's counter-narrative — that the violence was initiated by a section of the crowd, not by the force.

Notably, Additional DCP Mishra underscored that while the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed, it must be exercised within the framework of the law — a position the police have consistently maintained in the face of public pressure.

What Comes Next

With injuries reported on both sides and prohibitory orders having been in force, legal proceedings against those alleged to have broken barricades and pelted stones are expected. The incident is likely to intensify the broader political debate over policing of protests in the capital, and scrutiny of both the CJP's march planning and the Delhi Police's crowd-management protocols will continue.