New Delhi: Amid video reports showing security forces lathi charging protesters sitting peacefully near the Jantar Mantar protest site from where a march to the parliament building is supposed to take place, Delhi police had claimed earlier in the day that no such violence had taken place. Tear gas was fired near the Constitution Club area, to the extent of affecting passengers using the Central Secretariat metro station.Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said that “male police officials have lathicharged female protestors”.“Already more than 20 students have died by suicide but this government is not done yet. This government has resorted to hooliganism now.”Earlier in the day – “This govt is not satisfied by taking the lives of 20 NEET students. They are now baying for blood of others. Make policemen have been lathi charging female protesters” – @abhijeet_dipke pic.twitter.com/EbwTiZei8Z— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 20, 2026The Wire’s reporter Atul Howale was among those who were hurt in the Delhi Police’s tear gassing.Police lathicharge hurt several thousands, some quite seriously. Many minors were hurt in the process.However, the Delhi police handle on X claimed that there has been “no use of violence/detentions at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police”.Some segments from media have mentioned sporadic use of violence/detentions at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police.It is informed that no such incident has taken place and protest is being handled professionally. All are requested not to fall pray to any rumour/ misgivings, and, to…— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) July 20, 2026https://cms.thewire.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WhatsApp-Video-2026-07-20-at-13.29.33.mp4The CJP, along with several students’ bodies have been leading hunger strikes at the site asking for the resignation of the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the state of India’s education system and public exams. Three students of the students’ body AISA have ended their fast today. Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who was taken to Safdarjung hospital by the authorities continues his fast.While it is unclear if the march to the parliament will take place, over 50,000 people have turned up near the Jantar Mantar protest site, according to estimates from the ground.Every lathi charge, every tear gas shell, every welded barricade, every sealed metro station is a confession of the BJP government’s fear. A government that cannot face its own youth, answer their questions, or engage with their demands is a cowardly government. It has chosen… pic.twitter.com/fpMpaa5EDo— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) July 20, 2026In response to videos and reports of use of force, the Delhi police has claimed that “no such incident has taken place.”In a tweet at 10.43 am, it mentioned how “segments from media have mentioned sporadic use of violence/detentions at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police.”“It is informed that no such incident has taken place and protest is being handled professionally. All are requested not to fall pray to any rumour/ misgivings, and, to assist Delhi Police in maintaining peace and public order at and around the site,” it said.In response the Cockroach Janata Party posted a video of a person shown to be receiving blows from law enforcement and wrote, “May be open your eyes and look around!!! Shame!!!”Indeed images by PTI and The Wire’s reporters do show police using some degree of force.A protester sustained injuries as police fired teargas. Photo: Vipul Kumar.Police personnel stop Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters during a protest march, near the Jantar Mantar, at Sansad Marg, in New Delhi, Monday, July 20, 2026. Photo: PTIPolice personnel stop Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters during a protest march, near the Jantar Mantar, at Sansad Marg, in New Delhi, Monday, July 20, 2026. Photo: PTINote: This report is being updated frequently.