Updates: Tear gas fired, protesters lathi-charged at CJP agitation, Parliament security beefed up

The Cockroach Janta Party has clarified that its founder Abhijeet Dipke was not in detention or under arrest, shortly after claiming that he was “picked up” by the Delhi Police as several protesters marched towards Parliament on Monday.

The police also said that reports that Dipke had been detained were misleading. “It is formally clarified that these allegations are entirely false and he is available on stage,” it said.

Saurav Das, a spokesperson for the political campaign, urged MPs to stand in support of the protesting students, accusing the police of “brutally cracking down” on peaceful protesters.

Earlier in the day, Das posted on social media that he, along with fellow spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, met Union minister JP Nadda at his home for 10 minutes.

“While we submit a written letter with our demands, he has assured us that he will meanwhile speak internally,” Das said in a social media post. “We are in that process.”

Earlier in the day, the Cockroach Janta Party accused security personnel of firing tear gas shells at protesters marching to Parliament.

The campaign has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the alleged mismanagement of competitive examinations.

Here’s more on this and other top updates:

Tear gas shells fired, security beefed up at Parliament

• Das further alleged that protesters, including activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo, were assaulted by police personnel. In...

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