Top Delhi cop among 5 police personnel injured as protesters throw stones

A clash at Jantar Mantar left five Delhi Police personnel injured hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. The violence disrupted celebrations over the minister's exit as protest leaders urged peace and reforms.

In Short

• Violence reportedly began around 3 pm after some protesters allegedly hurled stones
• An inspector suffered a serious head injury and was seen bleeding
• Pradhan resigned after weeks of protests over alleged exam irregularities

Five Delhi Police personnel, including Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Anil Shukla, were injured after a clash broke out at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday afternoon, hours after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned amid weeks of nationwide student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

According to police sources, the violence erupted around 3 pm when a section of protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, leading to injuries among senior police officers deployed at the protest site.

Among those injured were Special CP Anil Shukla, two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and two other police personnel. An inspector also sustained a serious head injury and was left bleeding during the incident, sources said.

DHARMENDRA PRADHAN RESIGNS

The clash came against the backdrop of celebrations at Jantar Mantar following Pradhan's resignation earlier in the day. The Union Education Minister stepped down after weeks of sustained protests over alleged examination irregularities and the NEET-UG controversy. His resignation came hours before the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had maintained that his removal was a non-negotiable demand.

The announcement had triggered jubilation among protesters, with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke calling it a "victory of democracy" and asserting that peaceful public mobilisation had forced the government to act. However, Dipke also urged demonstrators to remain united, saying the agitation would continue until the government's response met the movement's two remaining demands.

'VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY'

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been observing an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, also welcomed Pradhan's resignation, describing it as "a victory of democracy" while urging the government to move "from accountability to reforms". He appealed for the movement to remain peaceful and called for long-term reforms in education and governance.

The circumstances that led to Saturday afternoon's clash were not immediately clear. Delhi Police has not yet issued a detailed statement on the incident, and further information is awaited.

- Ends