The recent police action during a protest march in Delhi has drawn severe criticism from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. He described the treatment of youth protesters as a “brutal lathi charge,” and asserted that in a democratic society, engagement through dialogue is preferred over force. This statement came on July 21, following the protest that occurred the day before.

Singh was addressing the media after AAP MPs gathered outside Makar Dwar in Parliament to denounce the police’s treatment of protesters. He expressed concern regarding the behaviour of law enforcement, stating that it was inappropriate to obstruct both the media and the public from participating in democratic discourse.

Commissioning further allegations, he stated that a significant number of demonstrators suffered injuries during the incident, including severe ones such as fractures and torn clothing. Singh claimed that the police had even applied nails to their batons, calling the incident a “mockery” of justice.

Call for Government Accountability

During his address, Singh referenced climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is reportedly receiving treatment after a lengthy hunger strike. The AAP leader questioned the government’s apparent indifference to Wangchuk’s plight, suggesting that officials should not ignore the concerns voiced by protesters, particularly those involving life-threatening situations.

Further criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh remarked on the Prime Minister’s global travels and juxtaposed these activities with the ongoing unrest in India. He questioned the government’s priorities amid the serious allegations surrounding the NEET paper leak.

In the lead-up to the protests, Singh accused the government of failing to address public grievances effectively. He reportedly stated that while Modi promised strict actions regarding the NEET paper leak, inconsistencies remain in how the matter has been handled, particularly in reference to accusations that have not led to forthright accountability.

Protests Escalate Amidst Allegations of Police Brutality

The protests coincided with increasing agitation from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Tensions escalated on the day of the largely attended march, leading to violent clashes and injuries among both protesters and over 118 police personnel.

Reports indicate that around 60 protesters sustained injuries during the confrontations. The Delhi Police have stated that demonstrators engaged in violent behaviour, which included throwing stones and attempting to breach barricades. In response to these incidents, FIRs have been registered against unidentified individuals for their involvement in acts of vandalism and stone-pelting.

Activists from the CJP described the police’s actions as brutal, alleging that law enforcement used excessive force against student protesters. Conversely, law enforcement maintained that the demonstration turned violent due to the actions of some protesters, who allegedly instigated the clashes.

In a conciliatory move, CJP representatives met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda to advocate for their demands, which included the resignation of Education Minister Pradhan and compensation of Rs 1 crore for families of NEET aspirants who suffered loss. Nadda’s response indicated that the government remains open to negotiations, urging protesters to collaborate with authorities to restore normalcy in light of the unrest.

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