NEW DELHI: India's riot police baton-charged protesters in New Delhi as they tried to march to parliament on Monday (Jul 20), escalating a protest over irregularities in major examinations.

Protesters ran for cover as police in blue riot gear charged at them near the Jantar Mantar protest site, an AFP journalist saw.

Thousands of protesters started gathering from early Monday, defying a steady monsoon drizzle and police barricades put up on routes leading to the site.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches.

"We want the government to hear us, not silence us," said student KM Gulshan, 19.