Police in India's capital blasted protesters with water cannons and beat them back with batons outside parliament as they try to contain rising outrage over a series of corruption scandals.

Thousands of opposition supporters took the streets in New Delhi Tuesday, while inside the parliament building, opposition lawmakers staged a protest of their own.

India's ruling Congress Party has come under increased scrutiny following a series of scandals, the most notable of them involving planning for last year's Commonwealth Games and the telecommunications sector.

A survey published Tuesday by The Hindu found nearly two-thirds of Indians view the government as very or somewhat corrupt. It also found Indians view government employees and elected officials as the most corrupt.

An audit released Friday by India's Comptroller and Auditor General accused the government of wasting millions of dollars on new Delhi's infrastructure in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games. It also found evidence of mismanagement and favoritism.

Following the audit's release, India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party called for the resignation of New Delhi's top elected official, Sheila Dikshit.