India’s riot police baton-charged protesters in New Delhi as they tried to march to parliament on Monday, escalating a protest over irregularities in major examinations.
Protesters ran for cover as police in blue riot gear charged at them near the Jantar Mantar protest site.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches. “We want the government to hear us, not silence us,” said student K.M. Gulshan, 19.
Soon after the march, chief party spokesman Saurav Das said in a social media post that two CJP members were on their way to meet a senior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet.
“The government had reached out for talks in the morning. Our demands are clear. The youth have gathered in huge numbers,” he said.
The protest comes after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to hospital on Saturday, bringing an abrupt end to his hunger strike in support of youths and the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement.