Thousands Blocked from Marching on Parliament in Delhi Protest
Tens of thousands of protesters, including students, parents, teachers, and professionals, gathered at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi on Monday, despite heavy rain, to march on India's parliament. Police had previously made clear that permission for the march would not be granted, and a large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel sealed all roads leading to the parliament building.
The protest, which has been ongoing for several days, gained fresh momentum over the weekend after police forcibly moved activist Sonam Wangchuk into hospital on the 21st day of a hunger strike in support of the movement. Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike to highlight issues of unemployment and education, appealed to doctors to discharge him so he could join the march but was not allowed. His wife has stated that his fast continues.
The movement takes its name from a remark made by India's Chief Justice during a court hearing, in which he compared certain sections of unemployed young people to a derogatory term. The remark drew widespread criticism and sparked the formation of the protest group.
By late evening, police had completely dismantled the protest site at Jantar Mantar. It remains unclear whether the group will call off its protest or attempt to continue the sit-in elsewhere. Throughout the day, volunteers handed out food and water, patriotic songs were played over loudspeakers, and organisers repeatedly urged supporters not to confront police if they were stopped.
The contrast between the protesters and the security presence was striking. Young people draped in Indian flags queued for food, painted placards, and posed for photographs, while rows of police and paramilitary personnel sealed every road to parliament around them. The protest remained peaceful despite the heavy rain and police blockade.
