Protester Beaten Brutally During Jantar Mantar Protest, Demands Union Education Minister's Resignation

Amid a lathicharge against protesters in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Monday afternoon, a video went viral showing one man surrounded by several security personnel, who were hitting him with lathis while he repeatedly shouted out, “Maaro (hit me), sir.” The incident took place amid the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest march towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks. As the situation spiralled out of control, police launched a lathi charge at the Jantar Mantar protest site, chasing away protesters and dismantling the tents they had set up when the protest began. Amid the many videos emerging from the site was that of the lone protester surrounded by the security personnel. After he endured a few hits, a policewoman holding a Tricolour intervened and attempted to take him away. The man later identified himself as Bharat Banait from Nagpur. He told The Indian Express, “I was hit on the head and on every inch of my body. Around 15-20 RAF (Rapid Action Force) officers were hitting me… This is a protest by students, and I condemn the government’s action against it.” ‘Hit on every inch of my body’: Protester from viral ‘maaro sir’ videohttps://t.co/AzuN09hFTH pic.twitter.com/AEfFBVZKq6 — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 20, 2026 Following the crackdown on protesters, Delhi Police advised them to exercise restraint and maintain law and order. Rajeev Ranjan, Additional Commissioner of Police, said in a video posted on X, “The Delhi Police appeals to all protesters to exercise restraint and cooperate with the police in maintaining peace and law and order. All protesters are requested to conduct their demonstrations peacefully. They should not engage in any illegal or violent activities and must comply with the legal instructions given by police personnel deployed on duty.” Meanwhile, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Minister J P Nadda. Das has said in a post on X that Nadda assured them that he would discuss their demands internally.