Days after a video showing right-wing activist Satyam Pandit assaulting two men linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in Delhi went viral, several more videos of similar confrontations have surfaced online. Following the CJP-led demonstrations that ended with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation on Saturday, multiple clips have emerged showing protesters allegedly facing intimidation and attacks.
Supporters of the agitation have described these incidents as retaliation against those who participated in the protests, expressing concern over the treatment of demonstrators. Meanwhile, BJP supporters on social media have mocked the protesters and demanded stringent action against them, with several videos circulating that show protesters being assaulted.
As the CJP protests gathered momentum, critics pointed to instances where some participants allegedly crossed the line by using abusive, vulgar and personal remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and security personnel. Videos featuring such slogans and confrontations spread widely on social media, with pro-government accounts citing them as evidence that the movement had lost decorum and been overtaken by disruptive elements.
The CJP and its supporters, however, argued that these clips represented only a small group of what they described as "anti-social" elements and should not distract from the central issue of alleged examination irregularities. They also defended some youngsters who used expletives, saying such language reflected Gen Z slang.
India Today Digital contacted three CJP spokespersons regarding the videos showing protesters being confronted and assaulted. Two did not respond, while the third said she was unaware of the incidents and had no information about them.
Meanwhile, pro-BJP social media accounts began widely sharing videos and images of protesters who were seen using abusive language and raising anti-government slogans.
'Find her, she abused PM Modi': Social media campaign
After the CJP withdrew its protests following the Centre's acceptance of its primary demand, several BJP-aligned or sympathetic social media accounts shared photographs of women and student protesters while urging police in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to arrest them.
One widely followed X account called on people to identify the women, locate where they lived, studied or worked, and make those around them aware of their actions. The account identifies itself as a political commentator, Hindu rights activist and BJP member.
Another account similarly posted videos of women criticising and abusing Prime Minister Modi with captions urging authorities to identify and imprison them.
While the right to protest is constitutionally protected, any violence or unlawful acts during demonstrations must be addressed through legal processes. Identifying suspects and initiating legal action falls within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, not private individuals or politically motivated groups.
Protester confronted and forced to apologise
One widely circulated video shows a man with a microphone confronting a protester, accusing him of saying he wanted to "turn India into Nepal."
Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Bagga shared the five-minute, 18-second video from Connaught Place, posting, "Bhai, India ko Nepal banane wala tha..." ("Bro, he was trying to turn India into Nepal"), accompanied by laughing emojis.
Former bureaucrat Ashish Joshi responded by urging Delhi Police to arrest the man holding the microphone, alleging that he was threatening and harassing a citizen. Joshi also sought action against Bagga under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), claiming he had incited people through social media.
In the video, a man identifying himself as a journalist approaches a group of protesters after ensuring his camera is recording. He grabs one protester by the neck while questioning him about his remarks regarding India and Prime Minister Modi. The protester says it was his first time speaking before the media, admits making the remarks and claims he was later detained at a police station for several hours.
As tensions escalate, others gather around in support of the interviewer. Throughout the exchange, the protester repeatedly asks him to remove his hand from his neck and requests to be heard.
The man with the microphone then threatens the protester with abusive remarks, warning him against speaking against the government or insulting Modi, before repeatedly demanding that he apologise. The visibly distressed protester eventually says, "Sorry."
Another social media account posted the same video with the caption, "Dheere dheere sab line par aa rahe hai" ("Slowly but surely, everyone is falling in line").
Man chased and assaulted in Connaught Place
Another video from Connaught Place begins with a man asking someone to start recording before shouting about the missing crowd.
Moments later, outside Hilton House, the man approaches another individual, punches and kicks him while verbally abusing him.
The victim, apparently alone, is chased by around six men who repeatedly punch and kick him as he runs through the colonnades of Connaught Place. During the assault, he asks, "Who did I even touch?" before escaping between the pillars. A person in khaki, who appeared to be a police officer, is also visible in the 32-second clip as the victim runs past a Starbucks outlet.
Reacting to the video, the Indian Youth Congress alleged that "BJP-backed goons" were responding to demands for accountability over paper leaks with intimidation and violence. It appealed to anyone allegedly threatened, harassed, attacked, served police notices or targeted online for speaking out to report the incidents through its helpline and online form.
Although the original clip commented on by the IYC has been removed, the same video remains available on X through other accounts.
Videos show man assaulted, woman heckled
Another video from Connaught Place, posted by the X account Saffron King, shows around 10 men surrounding a person, restraining him and repeatedly punching and kicking him. The assault continues until a police officer intervenes and disperses the crowd.
The next part of the video shows the injured man sitting in an autorickshaw with a cloth wrapped around his head. Blood appears to be running down his chest through his unbuttoned shirt as police personnel stand nearby. The narrator says, "Bhai iska sar phod diya bande ka. Ye cameraman tha" ("They smashed his head. He was a cameraman.").
The same 48-second clip also shows a woman surrounded by a crowd in Connaught Place, with several people filming her while repeatedly calling her a "cockroach." Standing amid the group, she is heard saying, "Maine kuch bola hai? Aapne video dekhi hai?" ("Did I say anything? Have you seen the video?") as she attempts to defend herself.
Another X account claimed that while CJP protesters who allegedly vandalised public property, attacked police and abused Prime Minister Modi were roaming free, Delhi Police had instead acted against "nationalist voices."
The founder of another account alleged that because Delhi Police could not take action against the protesters, it had begun issuing notices to those who had supported the police.
The confrontations come amid controversy over reported remarks by RSS ideologue TG Mohandas, who said he would have ordered security forces to shoot protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar had he been responsible for handling the demonstrations. Following the backlash, an RSS leader clarified that the comments did not reflect the organisation's official position.
Although the protests have now concluded and participants have returned home, the battle over competing narratives continues on social media and in public spaces. Supporters and critics alike are amplifying their versions of events, with protesters reportedly being identified, confronted, intimidated and assaulted. In a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, any allegations of wrongdoing are expected to be addressed through due legal process by the state rather than by vigilante groups.
