Indian student protests resume after police dispersal of parliament march

Police in New Delhi used tear gas and force on Monday to disperse a march of thousands of students and other demonstrators that had gathered near Parliament and Connaught Place. Officials said more than 100 students sustained injuries during the operation, and at least five criminal cases have been filed against participants for alleged stone-throwing and vandalism.

The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student unions, called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk from a government hospital, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide after alleged exam irregularities. After the police cleared the area, CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke addressed roughly 2,000 people who remained at a site near Jantar Mantar, saying the police had "beaten up our students and comrades" and pledging that the march would continue until the minister steps down.

Earlier, CJP representatives met with Health Minister JP Nadda to present their demands, but they said the discussion was brief and unproductive. Nadda described the meeting as cordial and urged protesters to end their sit-in and help restore normalcy.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, who had been on a hunger strike, temporarily halted his fast after the police raid but indicated he would resume it. The Delhi High Court has so far declined to order his release from the hospital.

Analysts noted that the protests, which have drawn significant youth participation, face challenges in extracting concessions from the government, and that the authorities' response may affect public perception of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership style.