Owaisi Calls Police Action Against CJP March 'Complete Disorder', Says It Shows Government's Repeated Approach Toward Protests

Amid the controversy surrounding the CJP-led Parliament march that resulted in injuries to more than 100 people, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday alleged that the police response to the student protesters reflected the government’s repeated approach toward handling demonstrations. He compared the incident with the government’s response to the lawyers’ agitation, farmers’ protests, and the anti-CAA movement.

Speaking to the media, Owaisi said the authorities had enough time to prevent the situation from worsening, as the protest had been continuing for several weeks. He claimed that engaging in dialogue with students earlier could have avoided the escalation. “What happened yesterday reflects the government’s consistent pattern. Similar situations were witnessed during the lawyers’ protest, farmers’ agitation, and the CAA protests. This movement had been going on for weeks, and discussions with the students should have taken place earlier,” Owaisi said. He described the scenes from the protest as “complete disorder.”

The protest began in June and gained wider attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the movement and began an ongoing hunger strike. The demonstrators have been demanding accountability over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Owaisi’s comments came as opposition leaders continued to criticise the police action during the march. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that students were subjected to force while raising concerns about their future. He also called for a detailed discussion in Parliament over the alleged mistreatment of protesters and the NEET examination controversy.

The Delhi Police has filed five FIRs related to alleged incidents of violence, stone-pelting and damage to property during Monday’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Officials said they are investigating whether the clashes were part of a planned conspiracy and are reviewing more than 250 video recordings to identify those involved. The cases have been registered at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. According to Delhi Police officials, over 118 police personnel were injured during the clashes, while more than 60 protesters also sustained injuries.