CJP protest highlights: 18 metro stations to remain shut today, Sonam Wangchuk rejects 'deal' allegations

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: The Delhi High Court on Friday agreed to urgently hear a petition challenging the Centre's decision to suspend internet services within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar.

The matter was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, which agreed to take up the plea later in the day.

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Friday accused the government of following a "divide and rule" strategy amid the protests over the paper leak issue.

"Modiji’s divide & rule: 1. Broker compromise with [Sonam Wangchuk] & nullify him, 2. Try & broker some “discussion” lollipop deal with Opposition 3. Paint protestors as violent anarchist & clamp down. IT WILL NOT WORK. Pradhan must resign," she wrote on X.

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he was returning to Jantar Mantar after receiving medical treatment overnight, adding that the protest would continue until Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

“Heading back to Jantar Mantar after a night full of IVs, injections, and blood tests. Physically I’m still feeling weak due to fever, but the fight must go on. Our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” he wrote on X.

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Union minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday hit out at the Opposition over its protests against the government on the paper leak issue, questioning whether MPs were ready to discuss the matter in Parliament.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video message on the issue and the protest led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Yadav said the government had invited discussions in the House and accused the Opposition of avoiding debate.

He wrote told ANI, “Are you shouldering your responsibility as an MP? Are you ready to go into the House and have a discussion? The clarion call by the PM, the proposal by the Govt - Parliament is all about the Govt presenting its side to both the ruling side as well as the Opposition. So, why is the Opposition running away from discussion in the House?...What is this conduct of not going to Parliament but causing provocation? Politics is done through vision, which arises out of discussion and discussions take place in Parliament.”

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: What began as anger over repeated examination paper leaks and demands for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has evolved into a distinctly Gen Z style of political expression — one designed as much for the algorithm as for the authorities.

On social media, “Delhi baddies” are doing fit checks, GRWM (get ready with me) videos with political messaging, and even the “Viking row” — inspired by Norwegian football supporters — with “Row! Row! Row!” replaced by “Resign! Resign! Resign!” Read the full story here.

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday shared an editorial by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in which she accused the Narendra Modi government of responding to students' concerns with "cowardice and wanton cruelty."

Sharing the article on X, Rahul Gandhi posted Sonia Gandhi's remarks, where she wrote, "The Narendra Modi government has responded to the students’ courage with cowardice and wanton cruelty, treating them not as inheritors of the future but as enemies of the nation."

Sonia Gandhi further said, "The Modi government has not just degraded India’s education landscape but has also made a habit of acting with utter impunity, supreme self-delusion, and abject insensitivity."

She added, "It is our moral, political and constitutional duty to stand with students and safeguard their future."

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: ‘Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,’ repeats CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke hours after Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast.

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi expressed concern over the student protests in New Delhi, saying their concerns over the examination system were genuine and should be addressed with empathy rather than force.

In a post on X, Joshi said it was "painful" to see young students from across the country protesting on the streets and urged the government not to treat the issue merely as a law-and-order matter. He also criticised the alleged use of force against protesters, saying such action could alienate sections of society from the goal of a "Viksit Bharat."

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on the paper leak issue.

He wrote on X, "When Parliament is in session, the Prime Minister has to give a Statement on the floor of Parliament, not make a one-sided ‘Mann Ki Baat’ outside Parliament by recording a video late at night!! @narendramodi

ji, Before coming to Parliament today, come after dismissing Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathis, batons, and Pellet Guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed Discussion on the education system."

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed that his friends and relatives have been receiving calls from Rajasthan Police, CID and Intelligence Bureau officials seeking information about his family.

In a post on X, Ranka wrote, "A lot of my friends and relatives have been getting calls from @RajPoliceHelp /CID/IB inquiring about my family. Mujhse hi pooch lo bhai, mai hi bata dunga."

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Opposition MPs are set to stage a protest at Makar Dwar at 10.30 am on Friday over the students' issue and alleged exam paper leaks. This comes during the monsoon session of Parliament. (ANI)

CJP Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda criticised Delhi University's advisory asking students to stay away from Jantar Mantar protests, accusing the university of issuing a "misleading and threatening statement."

In a post on X, Hooda questioned the university's claim that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar were unlawful, asking, "Which SC ruling has rendered the Jantar Mantar demonstrations/assemblies as blanket 'unlawful' as claimed in this DU statement?" He added, "Shame on DU for lying to its students."

CJP protest LIVE: The University of Delhi (DU) has issued a safety advisory asking students and faculty members to stay away from unauthorised gatherings and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, warning that participation in unlawful assemblies could invite legal action and affect their academic and professional future.

In a post on X, the university said demonstrations at Jantar Mantar are regulated under Supreme Court directives and urged students to prioritise their safety and comply with the law.

"Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar... may invite legal action. Such activities can also pose serious risks to students' personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities," the university said.

The university also cautioned students against fake news and misleading content circulating online, advising them to verify information before reacting or sharing it.

CJP protest LIVE: TMC MP Mahua Moitra welcomed Sonam Wangchuk's decision to end his hunger strike. She wrote on X, “very glad you have ended fast. Please rest & take care of your health. Also please ensure govt does not use your voice as a tool now to try & break agitation. Thank you.”

CJP protest LIVE: A CJP delegation is scheduled to meet Union ministers at 12.30 pm today to discuss the students' issue. (ANI)

CJP protest LIVE: The Constitution Club of India has been finalised as the venue for talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Centre, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said on Friday. He said the venue was chosen in line with the party's demand for the discussions with the government.

(Reported by Hemani Bhandari)

CJP protest LIVE: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on alleged exam paper leaks, saying the PM broke his "two-month-long silence" only after sustained public pressure. He alleged that the government had consistently denied the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and accused it of prioritising "political calculations" over students' interests.

Ramesh also questioned the handling of the 2024 NEET-UG and UGC-NET cases, alleging weak investigations and lack of accountability. He further criticised the PM for not mentioning the July 20 student protests or the alleged police action against protesters, and demanded the removal of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, action against those responsible for the alleged police excesses, and an apology from the government.

CJP protest LIVE: Mounds of garbage, including cardboard boxes, food packaging, plastic containers, disposable cups and water bottles, have accumulated at and around the Jantar Mantar protest site as thousands continue to gather daily and police barricades hamper waste collection by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). Read the full copy here.

CJP protest LIVE: The internet shutdown has been extended till 12 noon on July 24, authorities said.

Earlier, the suspension order issued to telecom service providers on July 23 was first extended from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm and was later prolonged from 4.30 pm until midnight. The latest order further extends the internet shutdown until 12 noon on July 24.

CJP protest LIVE: On Thursday, before breaking his hunger strike, Sonam Wangchuk appealed for peace, urging protesters not to resort to violence despite reports of unrest elsewhere.

In a post on X, Wangchuk wrote, "PEACE & ONLY PEACE IS MY WAY…" He said that while the protest at Jantar Mantar remained peaceful, he was "pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence."

"No matter what the other side does our response must only be flowers. Please keep this tradition at all costs," he added.

CJP protest LIVE: Four people injured during the July 20 protests in Delhi have alleged that security forces used pellet or rubber guns to disperse crowds, despite Delhi Police denying using such weapons.

According to a Hindustan Times report, medico-legal case (MLC) documents from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital mention a "suspected gunshot injury" in one case and "pellet injury marks" in another. A 25-year-old man and the family of a 19-year-old student also claimed doctors told them they had suffered pellet injuries.

Delhi Police denied using pellet or rubber guns. A senior Delhi Police officer said the Rapid Action Force (RAF) carries anti-riot gear, including pellet guns, but declined to comment on the CRPF's equipment. The CRPF, meanwhile, did not officially comment, though a senior official, speaking anonymously, said the RAF is mandated to carry pellet guns and "may have used it to control crowds."

If confirmed, the report said, it would be the first known use of pellet guns in Delhi, as such weapons have previously been associated with crowd control operations in Jammu and Kashmir. (Read more here)

CJP protest LIVE: Union minister Piyush Goyal said activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and assured him of the government's commitment to address his concerns.

In a post on X, Goyal said Wangchuk's decision reflected his trust in the Modi government's commitment to protecting students' interests. He added that the government remained committed to acting against paper leaks, strengthening examination reforms and ensuring that "every culprit operating against the nation's future will be punished."

CJP protest LIVE: CJP spokesperson Saurav Das that Delhi Police detained three youths at Nizamuddin Police Station for allegedly carrying food to Jantar Mantar.

Das also alleged that several youngsters had been detained without reason and criticised the police crackdown in central Delhi.

“Stop terrorising young kids RIGHT NOW!” he wrote on X.

CJP protest LIVE: The CJP said its sit-in at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan tenders his resignation.

Founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X, “The Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”

CJP protest LIVE: Protesters celebrated outside Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, dancing and cheering at the protest site.