CJP ‘Chalo Sansad’ Protest at Jantar Mantar: Police Refute Lathi‑Charge Claims While Demonstrators Keep the Momentum Going

The capital’s iconic Jantar Mantar turned into a makeshift rally ground on Saturday as a sizable contingent of lawyers, backed by various civil‑society groups, marched under the banner “CJP Chalo Sansad”. The crowd, chanting slogans and waving placards, was there to demand that the Chief Justice of India address what they see as a growing erosion of judicial independence.

Amid the sea of black suits and orange scarves, a few onlookers claimed to have witnessed a sudden lathi (baton) charge by Delhi police. Social‑media videos even hinted at a brief scuffle, with a few protesters allegedly being pushed back. Yet, when pressed for comment, the police spokesperson bluntly dismissed the reports, stating, “There was absolutely no lathi charge at Jantar Mantar today.” He added that the police were merely maintaining a “peaceful presence” to ensure public order.

It’s a classic case of two narratives colliding – one painted by participants who felt a sudden jolt, the other by authorities keen to downplay any sign of heavy‑handedness. As someone who’s watched a few of these protests over the years, I can tell you that a little confusion in a crowd often sprouts different stories. Still, the fact remains – the demonstrators didn’t disperse.

Even after the police’s denial, the march pressed on. Lawyers continued their “Chalo Sansad” chant, urging the chief justice to walk to Parliament and raise his voice against what they term “undue executive interference”. A number of activists, half‑jokingly referring to themselves as “cockroaches” – a term they reclaimed after being used derogatorily by some officials – marched forward, their marchers’ resolve seemingly unfazed.

Inside the makeshift stage, senior advocate Anurag Pandey addressed the gathering, saying, “We are not here for a spectacle; we are here for constitutional safeguards.” He warned that any attempt to silence the judiciary would echo louder in the streets, especially when the people feel their institutions are being undermined.

Meanwhile, on the ground, families of protestors set up stalls offering tea and light snacks – the usual sights at Delhi’s protest hotspots. Children could be seen tugging at their parents’ sleeves, curious about the banners that read slogans like “Judiciary Not a Toy” and “Justice Over Politics”.

As the afternoon waned, the police maintained a cordon around the area, but, according to eyewitnesses, there were no visible signs of aggression – no batons raised, no tear‑gas canisters fired. The atmosphere was a mix of tension and determination, the kind you often see when citizens feel they must be heard.

What does this mean for the larger “CJP Chalo Sansad” movement? Analysts suggest that whether or not a lathi charge actually happened, the narrative itself fuels the protest’s momentum. The very act of denying the incident can be interpreted by some as an attempt to downplay dissent, which in turn keeps the conversation alive in newsrooms and social media feeds.

For now, the lawyers have pledged to keep the pressure on, planning additional rallies at other symbolic sites across the city. As one participant put it, “We may not have gotten a baton today, but we’ve certainly got a louder voice.”

Regardless of the police’s statements, the protest’s core message remains unchanged: the judiciary’s autonomy is non‑negotiable, and the public will keep marching until that principle is respected.