Delhi protests turn violent as right-wing groups assault demonstrators in Connaught Place

Men belonging to right-wing organisations assaulted demonstrators and journalists across central Delhi on Saturday, chasing people through the streets of Connaught Place even as more than 25,000 security personnel patrolled the capital.

The violence erupted during planned demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) heading towards Jantar Mantar. While Delhi Police strictly enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita by intercepting hundreds of demonstrators and detaining opposition leaders, counter-gatherings of vigilante groups were allowed to form in the same high-security zone.

What happened at Connaught Place

Around 200 men assembled at Indira Chowk in Connaught Place, chanting slogans in favour of police baton charges and shouting threats against CJP supporters and the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Several identified themselves as members of the Hanuman Sena Delhi.

The group chased demonstrators along the inner circle of Connaught Place and launched verbal and physical attacks barely 50 metres from police lines stationed at the entrance of Kharak Singh Marg. Video recordings from the scene captured attackers slapping and beating demonstrators. In one instance, a protester was struck with what appeared to be metal knuckles, suffering injuries to his back before escaping.

Officers on site made little initial effort to step in. Asked by reporters why officers were not stopping the assaults, one policeman remarked that they were "seeing what can be done", while others stood by the roadside as victims fled.

Attacks spread to Palika Bazaar and Civic Centre

Near Palika Bazaar, a group of about 30 men identifying themselves as Bajrang Dal members confronted media personnel, accusing them of broadcasting false reports and warning that they would step in where police could not. Officers moved in half an hour later, detaining several men after they had threatened reporters.

Similar violence occurred near the MCD Civic Centre, where members of the Hindustan Raksha Dal dragged and kicked demonstrators. Footage circulating widely on social media showed two men pulling a young woman to the ground and beating her before her sister managed to pull her clear. The woman stated in the video that police personnel witnessed the assault without intervening.

Senior police officers later claimed that personnel rescued the woman, provided assistance, and cleared the attackers from the area. No First Information Report (FIR) had been registered against the men by Saturday evening.

A 21-year-old journalism student who sought shelter at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib said he and two classmates were targeted by men who entered the crowd multiple times. He said one friend was hit on the head while recording footage, forcing them to flee.

Opposition leaders detained across central Delhi

Central Delhi was fortified throughout Saturday with multi-layer barricades, continuous police patrol vans, and checkpoints that choked city traffic. Authorities refused permission for the CJP march and rounded up arriving participants at airport terminals, railway stations, and major roundabouts.

Senior opposition figures who attempted to join the demonstration were held by police. Among those detained were Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, and Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen.

Both the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress posted footage of the violence online, demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and accusing the central government of allowing armed mobs to intimidate demonstrators under the watch of law enforcement.