Delhi has long been the centre stage for protests that have shaped national conversations. From anti-corruption campaigns and movements for justice to farmers’ and student-led agitations, the capital’s streets have repeatedly witnessed thousands gathering to demand action from those in power.
As Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters began their march towards Parliament on Monday, clashes with police and the detention of protesters brought back memories of some of Delhi’s biggest public demonstrations in recent years, moments when thousands gathered on the streets.
CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. The protest comes after weeks of demonstrations at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Take a look at some of Delhi’s most defining protests in recent years:
- The Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement in 2011 became one of the biggest public mobilisations in the capital. After Hazare was arrested, thousands gathered outside Tihar Jail before he was moved to Ramlila Maidan. His 13-day fast at the venue drew massive crowds demanding a stronger Lokpal Bill and greater accountability from the government.
- A year later, the 2012 Nirbhaya case triggered widespread anger across the country, with Delhi becoming the centre of massive protests. Thousands of students, young professionals and citizens gathered at India Gate and Raisina Hill, with repeated attempts made to march towards Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Police used water cannons, tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters.
- The anti-CAA protests in 2019 and 2020 marked another major phase of public demonstrations in Delhi. Protests at Jamia Millia Islamia and the prolonged sit-in at Shaheen Bagh drew thousands of participants. The agitation also saw road blockades, extensive police deployment and temporary metro station closures in parts of the city.
- The farmers’ protest against the three farm laws in 2020-2021 turned Delhi’s borders into major centres of agitation. Thousands of farmers camped at Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur after being stopped from entering the city. The protests continued for months until the Centre repealed the laws.
During the Republic Day tractor rally in 2021, a section of protesters breached barricades, moved away from the permitted routes and entered central Delhi, leading to clashes with police. Some protesters also entered the Red Fort complex and hoisted the Nishan Sahib and farmers’ union flags from its ramparts. More than 300 police personnel were injured in the violence.
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It was among the largest protest marches witnessed in central Delhi. As part of the year-long agitation against the farm laws, tens of thousands of farmers entered the capital with tractors on January 26 after assembling at the city’s borders.
- In 2023, protests by several leading wrestlers at Jantar Mantar again brought Delhi’s streets into focus. The wrestlers attempted to march towards the newly inaugurated Parliament building but were stopped and detained by Delhi Police, drawing nationwide attention.
- Fast forward to July 20, CJP supporters joined the long list of groups that have taken their demands to the streets of Delhi. Carrying the tricolour, raising slogans and pushing through multiple police barricades, protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities. Police used force to prevent them from marching towards Parliament.