Tear gas and tricolours: Inside the clashes that marked Delhi's 'Chalo Sansad' march

What began as a march of students, parents and job aspirants from across the country ended in clouds of tear gas and clashes just a short distance from Parliament. Waving the tricolour and carrying handwritten placards, protesters – some dressed as cockroaches and others as Mahatma Gandhi – repeatedly attempted to breach police barricades after every setback. As rain lashed central Delhi, the roads around Parliament Street, Patel Chowk and Rail Bhawan echoed with slogans demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. Delhi Police responded with baton charges and tear gas, saying over 50 personnel were injured, while the Cockroach Janta Party alleged excessive force and claimed dozens of protesters, including a minor, were hurt. By evening, Parliament Street was strewn with broken barricades, abandoned shoes, torn placards and shattered umbrellas – silent reminders of a day of confrontation.