Retired Officers Request Jantar Mantar Rally to Support Injured Delhi Police Staff

Former Officers Demand Accountability for 'Chalo Sansad' Clashes

A group of retired Delhi Police personnel has formally requested authorization to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 31. The Delhi Police Mahasangh, representing retired non-gazetted and gazetted officers, aims to show solidarity with active-duty personnel injured during the violent 'Chalo Sansad' protest on July 20. The association submitted a formal appeal to Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, outlining a one-day action scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The clashes on July 20 originated from a march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the NEET-UG paper leak. While Minister Pradhan resigned on Saturday, July 25, 2026, the aftermath of the protest remains a point of contention for security veterans.

Casualties and Property Damage Reports

Official data indicates a heavy physical toll from the July 20 unrest:

• Over 200 Delhi Police personnel sustained injuries while on duty.
• Approximately 65 protesters were reported injured during the clashes.
• More than 15 police vehicles were damaged or vandalized.

The Mahasangh seeks strict legal measures against what they describe as habitual offenders, gangsters, and violent instigators. Former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ved Bhushan, who serves as the association's president, emphasized that the group is not targeting peaceful students. Instead, the focus remains on roughly 2,800 individuals with criminal records identified by police as participants in stone-pelting and use of criminal force.

Strict Compliance with Security Protocols

Organizers have pledged to adhere to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to ensure the gathering does not escalate. The application specifies that the group will remain within the designated Jantar Mantar zone and will not attempt to march toward Parliament House or the Central Vista. The association has committed to the following safety measures:

• No temporary structures or tents will be installed at the site.
• Protesters will carry no weapons or prohibited items.
• Vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow will not be obstructed.
• Full cooperation with active law enforcement commands is guaranteed.

Ved Bhushan clarified that while the association supports the right to protest, they demand the arrest of those who utilized the student-led movement as a cover for criminal activities and assaults on civil servants.

Source: The Hindu — Cities