Thousands marched on Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon Session.

Delhi Police used lathi charges and tear gas. The government met the protesters' delegates for the first time in 30 days. Nothing changed. NEW DELHI:The barriers close to Jantar Mantar were welded to shut out protesters early in the morning. These barriers rose to over six feet high, fixed to the grille of a church nearby so that they would not be moved around. Five metro stations such as Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat and Seva Teerth were closed by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Communication jammers limited mobile signals in the area. Over 1,200 personnel of the Delhi police were called for from the city borders and VIP zones along with paramilitary forces.

However, despite everything, by 8 a.m. on Monday, thousands of people had reached Jantar Mantar.

These people came from all over India including Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They included students, parents and senior citizens of the country. As suggested by the Cockroach Janta Party, they carried the national flag, a copy of the Constitution or photos of Ambedkar, Gandhi and Bhagat Singh with them. There was a young man at the podium at Jantar Mantar who was dressed like Mahatma Gandhi, waving the tricolour.

One group of five individuals from Rajpura in Punjab had left their homes at 11 p.m. the previous night with puri and pickle.

THE MARCH AND THE CLASHES

According to Delhi Police's statement on Sunday, there was no application for permission nor approval for a march to Parliament and anyone who did not have permission would face legal consequences. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik

Suraksha Sanhita prohibitory orders were issued all throughout New Delhi district.

Around 11:25 a.m., groups trying to proceed towards Parliament started breaking the barricades on Parliament Street. Police started using lathi charges and tear gas shells at several spots near Shastri Bhavan, Constitution Club, and Press Club of India. Some of the gates of Parliament were temporarily closed as the number of protestors trying to reach the complex increased. Internet services of mobile phones were blocked in some areas of central Delhi and was available till 6 p.m.

The protesting groups started regrouping themselves after being forced to retreat. Some started climbing the barricades while others chose different ways to continue shouting their slogans. One group started breaking the barricades, passing by the SBI building in Sansad Marg and headed towards Parliament but the police stopped them. Protesters also collected themselves near Patel Chowk and at the Rajiv Chowk metro station resulting into their closure.

At the end of the day, Delhi Police said that a total of 118 policemen and paramilitary men including those at the levels of Special Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner, and many women police constables got injured along with about 60 protesters. About 70 protesters were also arrested from different locations. Several cases were registered.

According to the statement of Delhi Police, action was taken against the protesters when they allegedly turned violent, started pelting stones at security forces and damaged police vehicles as they tried to break the security barriers even after repeated warnings. As per Saurav Das, spokesperson of CJP, the security forces started cracking down on peaceful protesters and used excessive force on them.

INSIDE PARLIAMENT

The protest did not stay on the streets.

Inside the Lok Sabha, opposition members disrupted proceedings continuously over the NEET paper leak, forcing multiple adjournments. The Lok Sabha was eventually adjourned for the entire day. The Rajya Sabha was also washed out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention the protests in his opening remarks for the Monsoon Session. Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at his Parliament House office as the marchers gathered outside.

DISPUTED CLAIMS

Some of the statements made throughout the day have been disputed.

At first, CJP stated that their founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained somewhere near Reserve Bank of India building. Delhi Police denied this on X, referring to the statement as "entirely false" and saying that Dipke is still there at the site of the protest. Some hours after, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das stated on X that Dipke has not been detained or arrested: "A HUGE CROWD is still outside Kerala House."

Moreover, CJP claimed that wife of Sonam Wangchuk, Gitanjali Angmo, was assaulted at the protest, while dozens of protesters, including a 12-year old girl, were severely injured. These statements have been also dismissed as untrue by Delhi Police.

THE MEETING

Representatives from the CJP, namely Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda during the afternoonthe first time when the government met the leaders of the agitation since protests started on June 6, on the 30th day of the march.

The demands included: unconditional and immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital without any limitations on his movements, the resignation or sacking of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and ₹1 crore compensation to the families of NEET candidates who committed suicide due to the leaked paper.

Nadda confirmed the meeting took place and stated that the demands would be "considered". Das clarified later that no promises were made.

Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital where he was transferred from the street on July 18, issued a handwritten note on X on Monday morning saying he would stop his fast if the government accepted responsibility for educational problemsor if CJP leadership could meet the Parliamentarians and get guarantees that the problem will be discussed in Parliament. Neither condition was met and he did not end his fast.

Three AISA activists, namely Neha, Aameen, and Manish, who fasted for 23 days stopped their protest after the request of a delegation of parliamentarians from the opposition and civil society activists. AISA stated that this is not a retreat, but preparation for national escalation of the movement.

OPPOSITION RESPONSE

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, called Prime Minister Modi "the most anti-youth PM in India's history" and condemned the use of force against demonstrators. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Left parties also condemned the police action. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the government's silence on student deaths following the paper leak. Opposition leaders across parties alleged the crackdown was an attempt to suppress a legitimate constitutional protest.

WHERE THINGS STOOD BY EVENING

As soon as the rains started clearing out the crowds in the evening, here were some facts about the events of the day.

Thousands had participated in the march. Five metro stations were closed down and mobile Internet connection was cut off in central Delhi. There was no activity in Parliament for an entire day. About 118 policemen and 60 demonstrators were injured. About 70 people were arrested. There was a meeting of 10 minutes between the Government and the protestors' representatives. Sonam Wangchuk continued his fast in hospital. The AISA fasters ended their fast. Dharmendra Pradhan retained his office.