Who Wields the Lathi? Viral Video Deepens Questions Over Delhi Police’s Protest Tactics
New Delhi – July 22, 2026
A fresh wave of controversy has erupted online after a video from the July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march began circulating widely, reigniting debate over the conduct of security personnel during the protest and the role of unidentified baton-carrying men in crowd control.
The video, originally highlighted by The Lallantop and subsequently amplified by various social media accounts, is now being widely shared alongside a post by veteran journalist Ravish Kumar. In his post, Ravish displayed a dramatic “WANTED by GenZs” style poster featuring a young man carrying a lathi and questioned whether the Delhi Police had identified those seen wielding batons during the protest.
His larger concern was not merely about one individual, but about a policing practice that, critics argue, blurs the line between official law enforcement and unidentified civilians.
“You’ll think the police have arrived, but the public hasn’t,” Ravish remarked, warning that men dressed in semi-official attire while carrying lathis could create dangerous confusion during public demonstrations.
The images have rapidly spread across social media, becoming another flashpoint in the already heated discussion surrounding the police response to the protest.
The Protest That Sparked the Debate
The demonstration, branded “Chalo Sansad,” was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led protest movement demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Thousands of students and supporters gathered near Connaught Place and central Delhi before police intervened to prevent the march from proceeding toward Parliament.
Videos from the scene showed baton charges, detentions, confrontations with protesters, and moments where individuals in plain clothes appeared to participate in crowd-control operations.
Delhi Police Defends Its Actions
Delhi Police has maintained that the baton-carrying men seen in the footage were plainclothes police personnel deployed to assist regular forces in dispersing what authorities described as an unauthorised protest.
According to the police, using officers in civilian clothing for operational support is a lawful crowd-management tactic and does not indicate the involvement of vigilantes or private actors.
Officials insist that the measures taken on July 20 were necessary to maintain public order and prevent demonstrators from reaching high-security areas near Parliament.
Critics Demand Greater Transparency
Journalists, civil liberties advocates, and several activists have questioned whether officers engaged in crowd control should be more clearly identifiable.
The concerns extend beyond the use of force itself. Critics argue that when baton-wielding individuals are not readily distinguishable as police officers, it becomes more difficult to determine accountability for actions taken during protests.
Some media personnel also alleged they were pushed or struck while covering the demonstrations, further fuelling demands for transparent operational protocols and independent scrutiny of the events.
The viral footage has intensified public discussion over whether crowd-control practices adequately balance security requirements with the rights of peaceful protesters and journalists.
A Debate That Continues
The video continues to circulate widely, with users sharing it alongside screenshots of Ravish Kumar’s post and other commentary questioning the events of July 20.
While authorities maintain that the deployment complied with established policing procedures, critics argue that clearer identification of officers could help preserve public trust during volatile demonstrations.
The controversy has now evolved beyond a single protest. It has become part of a broader national conversation about policing, transparency, press freedom, and the handling of student-led movements in India.
JANPATH NEWS NETWORK (JNN)
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