Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap criticised the Delhi Police's handling of the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest on Monday after clashes between students and security personnel turned violent in central Delhi. Sharing a strongly worded post on Instagram, Kashyap questioned whether police personnel had "sold their soul" by carrying out orders that he suggested were morally wrong.
Protests in Delhi over alleged irregularities in the education sector and the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak turned violent on Monday, with visuals showing Delhi Police using lathi charge and firing teargas to bring the situation under control. While Delhi Police said the action was necessary after protesters turned violent, many in civil society described it as "police brutality".
The violence also drew a sharp response from filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who posted a veiled criticism of the police on Instagram. According to Delhi Police, more than 118 police personnel were injured, while many protesters were also hurt in clashes reported from different parts of Delhi.
On Monday evening, Kashyap wrote in Hindi on Instagram, "Wardi pehenne ke liye aatma ka, aatmiyta ka, sabka sauda karna padta hai. Maloom nahi tha. Kya ek police wala hai is desh mein jo khada ho ke bol sake main iss Aadesh ka palan nahin karoonga kyonki ye galat hai (I didn’t know you have to sell your soul and conscience to wear a police uniform. Is there one police personnel in this country who can stand up and say I won’t follow this order because it is wrong)."
Although he did not name the CJP or the protests, the post was seen as a response to the police action that left many injured.
According to Delhi officials, the CJP protesters in the New Delhi area displayed unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour during the protest. They said the protesters refused to disperse despite repeated warnings and lawful directions from the police, and deliberately violated prohibitory orders in force. The protesters, however, alleged that Delhi Police personnel targeted them indiscriminately, causing several injuries on their side as well.
Amid the protests, a delegation from the Cockroach Janata Party met Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday to discuss its demands. Nadda appealed to the protesters to end their sit-in. CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party placed three demands before the minister, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation of 1 crore for the families of the NEET aspirants, "more than 20 of whom have lost their lives". He also said activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is in hospital, should be "released immediately".
Das said the protest would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigned. The day ended with competing claims over the violence, injuries on both sides, criticism of the police response, and no immediate sign of the CJP calling off its agitation.
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Published By:
shweta keshri
Published On:
Jul 21, 2026 11:46 IST