Scores of police surrounded the barricaded protest site in the heart of New Delhi, raising the prospect of a confrontation if demonstrators pressed ahead with the march. Television footage showed police striking some protesters with batons after they tried to breach security barricades.
The crowd at Jantar Mantar, a designated site for protests just a few kilometers from Parliament, included students, professionals, and families with young children. Many carried backpacks with water and food, expecting a long day, while others waved Indian flags. Police urged protesters to disperse over loudspeakers, as the crowd chanted slogans against the education minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.