Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has expressed sympathy for Delhi Police personnel injured during the violence that followed the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. However, while extending support to the injured officers, Dipke rejected allegations that student protesters were responsible for the attacks. Instead, he claimed that “BJP goons, not students,” were behind the violence, accusing unidentified groups of infiltrating the demonstration and provoking clashes with security forces.
The remarks come amid continuing political debate over the events that unfolded during the protest, which initially began as a demonstration over examination reforms and employment-related concerns. Thousands of students and supporters had gathered at Jantar Mantar before some participants attempted to march toward Parliament, leading to confrontations with police and widespread disorder. Authorities responded with barricades, detentions, and crowd-control measures after the gathering was declared unlawful.
Speaking to the media, Dipke maintained that the movement had always advocated peaceful protest and insisted that students had no intention of attacking police personnel. He alleged that individuals affiliated with the BJP deliberately created violence to discredit the protest movement. According to Dipke, the injured police officers were victims of those responsible for escalating tensions rather than of the students participating in the demonstration. He also wished a speedy recovery to the officers hurt during the clashes, saying that both students and police had suffered because of the violence.
Delhi Police have maintained that the protest turned violent after demonstrators breached security arrangements and attempted to move beyond the permitted protest zone. Officials reported that more than 100 police personnel sustained injuries during the confrontation, while multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in connection with vandalism, assault on public servants, and damage to public property. Investigations into the incident remain ongoing, with authorities examining video footage and other evidence to identify those responsible.
The protest has since become the subject of intense political exchanges. Opposition leaders and several civil society groups have questioned the police response, while government supporters have defended law enforcement’s actions, arguing that officers were carrying out their duty to maintain public order. The controversy has also generated competing narratives regarding who initiated the violence, with each side presenting differing accounts of the events.
Adding to the debate, Delhi Police recently dismissed social media claims that Jantar Mantar had been permanently closed as a protest venue. Officials clarified that the site remains open for authorized demonstrations and urged the public not to circulate misleading information. The clarification came as discussions over the July 20 incident continued across political and public platforms.
Dipke reiterated that his organization would continue to pursue its campaign through democratic and peaceful means. He called for an impartial investigation into the violence, saying accountability should be fixed only after examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. He further urged authorities to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and individuals who may have exploited the gathering to trigger unrest.
As investigations progress, the Jantar Mantar protest remains a politically sensitive issue, with both the police and protest organizers awaiting the outcome of official inquiries. The findings are expected to play a key role in determining responsibility for the violence and shaping future discussions on public demonstrations, policing, and accountability in the national capital.
