CJP Protest Row: Saumya Tandon Criticizes Police Action, Calls Student Protest Visuals 'Deeply Disturbing'
Saumya Tandon on CJP: A major protest was organized by the CJP at Jantar Mantar on Monday, following which the police fired tear gas shells and resorted to a lathi-charge to stop the demonstrators. Now, ‘Dhurandhar’ fame Saumya Tandon has reacted to the incident.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has declared a march from Jantar Mantar to the Parliament. For one month now, people have been protesting at Jantar Mantar. A huge crowd had come here on Monday. But this march faced some issues. The security forces used lathi charge and tear gas to prevent people from proceeding towards the Parliament.
The actress Saumya Tandon has raised her voice regarding the matter. She recently made an appearance in the movie Dhurandhar: The Revenge directed by Aditya Dhar. She criticized the lathi charge of CJP march.
Taking to her X account, she wrote, "The visuals of the student protests are deeply disturbing. While there have been reports of violence-such as stone-pelting-in some areas, this does not justify the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters.
It is heartbreaking to see so many young people being subjected to such distress. A democracy is at its strongest when differences are resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation. I hope the government engages with the students, listens to them, and finds a peaceful resolution to the issue."
According to Delhi officials, protesters exhibited aggressive and violent behavior during the CJP protest in the New Delhi area on Monday. Despite repeated attempts by the police to reason with them and issue warnings, they did not comply and violated the regulations in place.
The scenes from the student protests are deeply disturbing.
While there have been reports of violence in some places, including instances of stone pelting, that should not justify the use of excessive force against peaceful protesters.
It is heartbreaking to see so many young… — Saumya Tandon (@saumyatandon) July 22, 2026
Meanwhile, the protesters allege that the police attacked them indiscriminately, resulting in injuries to several people. Several videos have surfaced on social media showing the police resorting to lathi-charges and firing tear gas at students. Protesters also alleged that individuals in plainclothes were attacking them.
This protest, led by the CJP, has been ongoing for over two weeks. It centers on grievances regarding the education system, particularly allegations of a paper leak in the NEET examination. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the protest earlier this month and began a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.
Although the protesters held talks with government representatives on Tuesday, the protest continues. Meanwhile, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in outside the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday but was detained by the police.
