Police-Protester Clash Rocks Central Delhi; ACP Injured, 16 Metro Stations Affected

New Delhi, 23rd July 2026: A clash broke out between police and student protesters near Jantar Mantar in central Delhi on Wednesday night, leaving at least two police personnel, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), injured. Police resorted to tear gas and a baton charge to disperse the crowd after protesters allegedly pelted stones and hurled bottles at security personnel.

According to Delhi Police, the violence erupted around 8.30 pm near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, close to the Jantar Mantar protest site, where supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) have been staging a demonstration since June 20, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak issue.

Police said a group of “miscreants” attacked security personnel with stones and bottles, injuring ACP Connaught Place Vivek Bhagat. Earlier in the day, ACP Punjabi Bagh Jai Prakash was also injured during the protests. He later said a stone struck him directly on the forehead while police were trying to prevent protesters from marching towards Parliament. He is undergoing treatment at RML Hospital, where doctors have reportedly confirmed a minor fracture.

In response to the violence, police fired tear gas shells and carried out a baton charge to push back the protesters. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show some demonstrators carrying sticks and confronting police personnel. The confrontation lasted for around 10 to 15 minutes, after which the situation was brought under control.

As a precautionary measure, 16 Delhi Metro stations were closed on Thursday morning following security concerns. However, interchange facilities remained operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations. Metro services were later restored.

Delhi Police has registered an FIR in connection with the alleged assault on a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel during the protest. According to police, viral videos show some protesters assaulting the RAF jawan, pelting stones at an RAF vehicle and damaging government property.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court, while hearing a petition alleging assault on students during the protests, directed the authorities to preserve CCTV footage related to the incidents.

The protest entered its 34th day on Thursday, with thousands of supporters continuing to gather at Jantar Mantar. CJP founder Abhijeet Deepke said the agitation would continue until the Union Education Minister resigns.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike in support of the movement, appealed for peace following the violence. Through a message shared by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das, Wangchuk urged protesters to maintain calm and ensure that the movement remains peaceful.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said the Centre is open to dialogue with Wangchuk and other representatives of the movement. He said the government had received Wangchuk’s open letter and would respond to it. Separately, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reiterated that the government is willing to discuss concerns related to NEET and other education-related issues.

The protests intensified after clashes during the CJP’s Parliament march on July 20, when demonstrators attempting to move towards Parliament were stopped by police, leading to a baton charge.