Delhi protests intensify as opposition leaders join demonstrators near Parliament

On Monday, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Delhi after opposition parties called for a march to Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session. At least 60 people were injured when police used batons and tear gas to disperse the crowds.

Authorities dismantled the stage and temporary tents at Jantar Mantar, the protest's main base near the 300-year-old observatory. However, demonstrators have refused to leave, maintaining a round-the-clock sit-in.

The following day, several senior opposition leaders, including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and veteran politician Sharad Pawar, visited the protest site. Later, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi led a surprise march to the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the resignations of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Prime Minister.

Rahul Gandhi said the government must apologise to students for the crackdown, adding that the Congress party staged the protest outside the Prime Minister's house because they were not allowed to raise the issue in Parliament. He claimed that Speaker Om Birla said he needed permission from the government to allow a discussion, and that the government showed no interest in debate.

Federal Minister Jitendra Singh denied Gandhi's allegation, stating that the government had accepted his demand for a discussion but that Gandhi later also demanded the resignation of Minister Pradhan. He accused Gandhi of 'changing the goalpost' and of refusing to end the protest despite being told that the location was not suitable for such demonstrations.