CJP protest highlights: Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike after 26 days with Nadda, Jitendra Singh by his side
This live blog has ended. For latest updates on the Jantar Mantar protest, click here.
CJP protest highlights: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that INDIA bloc leaders were heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg to express solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. This live blog has ended. For latest updates on the Jantar Mantar protest, click here....Read More
In a post on X after an INDIA bloc meeting at his residence, Gandhi said the Opposition stood with students who were injured during the police action on July 20 and reiterated its support for their demands.
Buses carrying INDIA bloc MPs, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, arrived at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi on Thursday.
The leaders reached the memorial together amid the Opposition's ongoing political mobilisation.
Dipke's request to PM Modi
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founding president Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, warning that the protests would escalate if the demand was ignored.
Addressing the media in Delhi, Dipke said the agitation would no longer remain limited to seeking Pradhan's resignation if the Centre failed to act.
"Modi ji, I once again request you to accept Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Otherwise, the issue will not remain limited to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation alone; it will come for your resignation also," he said.
Internet shutdown in Central Delhi
The internet shutdown order issued to telecom service providers on July 23 was initially extended until 4:30 pm.
Authorities have now extended the suspension further, with internet services set to remain suspended until midnight.
Tight security measures continued at the Jantar Mantar with a contingent of police deployed at the site, a day after tensions escalated again amid the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). 16 metro stations were closed from 7.30 am till further instructions, DMRC said on Thursday.
These include Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Supreme Court metro stations. The DMRC a day earlier too shut 16 metro stations.
The CJP early on Thursday claimed the Delhi Police had parked a “totally damaged car” outside the protest site, questioning their intention. “Everyone should remember this car has been brought here in this condition - important to record before they can blame it on peaceful protesters,” the CJP said, sharing visuals of the vehicle, which was seen with its windows and windshield shattered.
While the protest site had remained largely peaceful on Wednesday, tensions escalated on the Sansad Marg stretch, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police. While security personnel used tear gas shells for protesters who had spilled on to Sansad Marg, the protesters pelted stones at police personnel and chased them on the main radial road of Connaught Place. According to the Delhi Police, at least five cops - 2 ACPs, one inspector, one head constable and one constable, were injured in the fresh tensions.
The CJP on Wednesday also alleged that internet services were shut down around Jantar Mantar, asking whether the government was preparing for another police crackdown. “Internet service shutdown at Jantar Mantar. Govt planning another brutal crackdown?” CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke said in a post on X. In another post, Dipke appealed to police and paramilitary forces to not “obey illegal orders that ask you to beat up innocent protesters.”
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das reiterated the demand for union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying it was non-negotiable. Das said he had spoken to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast and is at the Medanta Hospital, several times.
Das said the conclusion was that the protest remain peaceful, and be conducted “in a right manner.” “Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is non-negotiable. Without this, the protest will continue,” Das said.
Wangchuk says govt assured demand will be considered ‘positively’
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday claimed that union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him and assured that the government would "positively consider" a Parliament discussion to ensure accountability over paper leaks, including the resignation of the education minister. He said the government had assured it would also consider adequate compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the alleged NEET paper leak.
However, Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike only if the government gave an "unequivocal assurance" that no student or protester who participated in the anti-NEET movement would face punitive or retaliatory legal action.
‘No discussion on paper leaks till education minister resigns’
While the government underscored its willingness to hold a discussion on paper leaks in Parliament, the Opposition demanded the resignation of union education minister Pradhan. “There will be no discussion on the issue till the education minister resigns…It cannot be a fair discussion till he resigns,” Congress chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said.
The opposition MPs, meanwhile, held protests wearing black clothes against the government on Parliament premises. People aware of the matter said the government accused the Opposition of politicising the ongoing student’s stir and said it was shifting “goalposts”, asserting that its doors for dialogue with those leading the protests were “always open”.
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- 24 Jul 2026, 06:36:12 AM IST
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This live blog has ended. For latest updates on the Jantar Mantar protest, click here.
- 24 Jul 2026, 05:46:35 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Naresh Pal Gangwar replaces Vineet Joshi as new Higher Education Secretary
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, an official government notification said late Thursday night.
His replacement comes amid the ongoing NEET-UG paper leak issue and demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Vineet Joshi has been transferred to Secretary in the Department of Panchayati Raj.
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- 24 Jul 2026, 05:29:43 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: 17 Delhi Metro stations to remain closed from 7:30 am today
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Thursday announced that 17 metro stations will remain closed from 7:30 am on Friday until further instructions.
The stations that will remain closed are Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan.
According to a post by DMRC on X, interchange facilities will continue to remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
- 24 Jul 2026, 05:18:19 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi criticises PM Modi's NEET row video, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night shared a video message, saying the government would discuss stricter action against paper leaks at Friday's Cabinet meeting.
Reacting to the announcement, Rahul Gandhi called it a "pathetic midnight video" and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Referring to PM Modi's video, Rahul Gandhi said, "Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Don't insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video."
"1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise," the Congress leader demanded.
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- 24 Jul 2026, 03:54:30 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: PM Modi says bill with strict action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that a bill with provisions for strict action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week.
In a video message, Modi said the proposed legislation will be discussed and finalized at the Union Cabinet meeting on Friday. He added that the government will push for its early passage during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
"The cabinet will discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday and taking suggestions of the cabinet colleagues, further action would be finalized. On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks and we will try to pass it as early as possible," he said.
- 24 Jul 2026, 03:01:36 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Jantar Mantar protest to continue, says Abhijeet Dipke
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he was relieved that Sonam Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike, but added that peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
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- 24 Jul 2026, 02:13:40 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Abhijeet Dipke reacts to Sonam Wangchuk ending hunger strike
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he was relieved that Sonam Wangchuk had ended his hunger strike and thanked him for his "courage and sacrifice."
"We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," he said.
He added that the CJP’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
- 24 Jul 2026, 01:48:15 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: PM Modi reacts to Sonam Wangchuk ending fast
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted after Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike.
In a post on X, PM Modi urged Wangchuk to follow medical advice and regain his health.
"I urge Sonam ji to follow her routine as per the doctors' advice and regain her old weight as soon as possible. I pray to the Lord that Sonam ji remains healthy," he wrote.
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- 24 Jul 2026, 12:55:29 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Sonam Wangchuk breaks his hunger strike after 26 days
Sonam Wangchuk broke his hunger strike in presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the hospital, PTI reported.
- 24 Jul 2026, 12:40:35 AM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Over 25 students detained by Delhi police
Delhi Police detained more than 25 students at Lodhi Colony police station while they were proceeding towards Jantar Mantar with posters for the CJP protest.
Among those held were a student from Jamia Millia Islamia and another from Delhi University.
Police termed the action as preventive under the Delhi Police Act to prevent them from joining an unlawful assembly.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 11:18:00 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Over 200 detained by South East District Police in preventive crackdown
South East District Police took preventive action and detained more than 200 people over three days. Most detainees, picked up from inter-district pockets and border areas, were later released after verification.
- 23 Jul 2026, 10:46:04 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Kejriwal responds to Delhi Police's 'no crackdown tonight' clarification
CJP protest LIVE: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday responded to the Delhi Police's clarification that there was no plan to crack down on the ongoing student protest on Thursday night.
In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, "Thank you @DelhiPolice for clarifying that there is no plan to crack down 'tonight'. Kindly inform when is it planned."
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- 23 Jul 2026, 10:30:33 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Abhijit Deepke thanks PM Modi, says Sonam Wangchuk's removal made protest 'this big'
CJP protest LIVE: CJP leader Abhijit Deepke on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the government's action against Sonam Wangchuk had only strengthened the ongoing protest movement.
Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, Deepke said, "I want to thank Narendra Modi because if he hadn't removed Sonam Wangchuk from here (Jantar Mantar), our movement wouldn't have become this big..."
- 23 Jul 2026, 10:11:46 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: 480 Pak handles blocked for spreading fake news, says Delhi Police amid student protests
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Police on Thursday said that at least 480 Pakistan-based social media handles involved in coordinated misinformation campaigns were identified and blocked.
The police appealed to the students and youth to be wary of such foreign accounts spreading rumours to mislead the situation.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 09:58:56 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: DMRC update
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry gates for Mandi House, Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations are now open.
- 23 Jul 2026, 09:41:36 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Sonam Wangchuk says he's 'pained to learn' of violence elsewhere, urges protesters to remain peaceful
DAY 26
— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 23, 2026
PEACE & ONLY PEACE IS MY WAY…
While at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful I’m 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…CJP protest LIVE:Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday said he was "pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence," while asserting that the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar had remained peaceful.
Marking Day 26 of the protest, Wangchuk appealed to demonstrators to maintain non-violence, writing, "No matter what the other side does our response must only be flowers. Please keep this tradition at all costs."
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- 23 Jul 2026, 09:31:39 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: DU warns students against attending Jantar Mantar protests
CJP protest LIVE: The University of Delhi (DU) has advised its students and faculty to stay away from Jantar Mantar, warning that participation in unlawful assemblies or demonstrations could invite legal action and adversely affect students' safety, academics and future professional opportunities.
In an advisory, the university urged students to prioritise their safety and comply with the law. It also cautioned them against fake and misleading content being circulated online, saying such material was fuelling the situation.
- 23 Jul 2026, 08:51:53 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Mobile internet disrupted in parts of central Delhi amid protest
CJP protest LIVE: While the order specifies a 1.5-km radius around Jantar Mantar, HT’s tests found that internet connectivity remained unavailable at least up to Andhra Pradesh Bhavan on Ashoka Road, which is about 1.8 kilometers from the protest site.
Services resumed upon reaching Copernicus Marg via Ashoka Road, broadly matching the notified shutdown area.
The radius of no internet connectivity included Janpath market near Connaught Place, Le Meridien, Shangri-La hotel, National Media Centre, Indian Women's Press Corps office.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 08:47:05 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Police denies plans for overnight crackdown on ongoing student protest
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Police on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting that it was planning an overnight crackdown on the ongoing student protest in the national capital.
In a statement, the police said there was no such plan and urged people to refrain from spreading or circulating "misleading" and "unverified" information.
- 23 Jul 2026, 08:38:18 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc MPs reach Gandhi Smriti amid protest over alleged NEET paper leak
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- 23 Jul 2026, 08:20:05 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi meets Gandhi Smriti Vice Chairman Vijay Goel during Opposition visit
CJP protest LIVE: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met BJP leader and Gandhi Smriti Vice Chairman Vijay Goel during the INDIA bloc's visit to Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi.
The meeting took place after Opposition MPs reached the memorial as part of their protest over the alleged paper leak issue.
- 23 Jul 2026, 08:17:20 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc leaders pay tribute to students who died by suicide over paper leak allegations
CJP protest LIVE: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress leaders and MPs from the INDIA bloc, paid homage at Gandhi Smriti on Thursday to students who allegedly died by suicide amid concerns over paper leaks and examination-related stress.
The Opposition leaders observed a tribute as part of their protest, expressing solidarity with students and calling for accountability over the alleged irregularities in the examination system.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 08:15:30 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi accuses Centre of 'assassinating democracy'
- 23 Jul 2026, 08:12:43 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Chidambaram questions heavy police deployment, barricades after INDIA bloc MPs halted en route to Gandhi Smriti
CJP protest LIVE: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday questioned the heavy police deployment and road barricades in Delhi after alleging that more than 100 Opposition MPs were stopped while travelling to Gandhi Smriti.
In a post on X, Chidambaram said the MPs had assembled and boarded buses to visit Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg but had remained inside the vehicles for over 25 minutes as roads were barricaded. He claimed that hundreds of police personnel had been deployed to "secure" the roads and asked, "What is the government afraid of? Why this sense of panic?"
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- 23 Jul 2026, 08:07:50 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP alleges students being picked up, detained en route to Jantar Mantar
CJP protest LIVE: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Thursday alleged that it was receiving multiple reports of students being "randomly picked up" from the streets while travelling to or returning from Jantar Mantar and being detained by the Delhi Police.
In a post on X, the party urged the Delhi Police to stop what it described as "arbitrary detentions" and the harassment of students, asserting that participating in a peaceful protest is not a crime.
- 23 Jul 2026, 07:55:57 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc MPs arrive at Gandhi Smriti by bus
CJP protest LIVE: Buses carrying INDIA bloc MPs, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, arrived at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi on Thursday.
The leaders reached the memorial together amid the Opposition's ongoing political mobilisation.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 07:51:07 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke taken to doctor as fever, cough worsen
CJP protest LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke was taken to a doctor on Thursday after his fever and cough worsened, NC leader Anish Gawande said.
In a post on X, Gawande said Dipke's blood pressure was normal and that the doctor had prescribed medication along with an injection.
"We are all hoping he will return to Jantar Mantar tonight!" Gawande wrote, referring to the site of the CJP's ongoing protest.
- 23 Jul 2026, 07:47:34 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: NSUI workers raise slogans for Rahul Gandhi as INDIA bloc MPs head to Gandhi Smriti
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- 23 Jul 2026, 07:30:48 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Students being randomly picked up near Jantar Mantar, alleges CJP
We're receiving multiple reports of students being randomly picked up from the streets while heading to or returning from Jantar Mantar and being detained.
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 23, 2026
We urge Delhi Police to stop these arbitrary detentions and the harassment of young students. Joining peaceful protest… - 23 Jul 2026, 07:24:17 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Pakistan refuses to comment on CJP protests
CJP protest LIVE: Pakistan declined to comment on the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests, saying the issue is India's internal matter.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 07:22:41 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP flags impersonator account on X
🚨IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT🚨
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 23, 2026
A handle @CJP_for_India is impersonating Cockroach Janta Party and is also receiving subscriptions from people. Please beware of such accounts that are taking money in CJP’s name.
Especially media handles - please note. If you tag this account, it… - 23 Jul 2026, 06:54:54 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Police dismiss link between NSA renewal and CJP protests, call claims 'misinformation'
CJP protest LIVE: Delhi Police on Thursday clarified that the routine quarterly renewal of powers under the National Security Act (NSA) has no connection with the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, calling reports linking the two "misinformation."
In a post on X, the force said the renewal was part of a standard administrative process and had been initiated before the protests began.
"A routine quarterly renewal of powers under the National Security Act (NSA) has been falsely linked to the ongoing CJP protests. The renewal predates the protests and is part of the standard administrative process. Citizens are advised to rely only on official information and avoid sharing misinformation," Delhi Police said.
The clarification comes amid speculation on social media that the renewal of NSA powers was related to the protests in the national capital.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 06:47:29 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Anna Hazare urges PM Modi to avoid violence, seeks education minister's resignation
CJP protest LIVE: Social activist Anna Hazare said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Centre to refrain from using force against protesting students, asserting that violence cannot resolve any issue.
Speaking in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar, Hazare said peaceful dialogue, not force, was the way forward.
"I wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that no issue can be resolved through the path of non-violence. Violence will not resolve the issue. Violence will only lead to more work," he said.
Referring to his own anti-corruption movements, Hazare said he had observed 22 hunger strikes without resorting to violence.
"I observed 22 hunger strikes but I did not resort to violence. Student youth power is a national power. If you go the wrong way, it will be wrong," he said.
Hazare also demanded the resignation of the education minister over the issue.
"He (Education Minister) should resign," he said.
Emphasising that elected representatives are accountable to the people, Hazare added, "I said that the public is the master, and ministers and officials are all servants. If any work needs to be done, it should be done if the public feels it should be done."
Calling the police action against students unacceptable, he said, "Lathi charge is wrong..."
- 23 Jul 2026, 06:39:33 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: RAF deployed outside Rahul Gandhi's residence ahead of Opposition meeting
CJP protest LIVE: A bus carrying Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel arrived outside the Delhi residence of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, ahead of a meeting of Opposition MPs convened by him.
Rahul Gandhi has called the meeting at his residence to discuss the evolving situation and the Opposition's strategy.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 06:27:57 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP's Abhijeet Dipke urges PM Modi to sack Dharmendra Pradhan
CJP protest LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founding president Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accept Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, warning that the protests would escalate if the demand was ignored.
Addressing the media in Delhi, Dipke said the agitation would no longer remain limited to seeking Pradhan's resignation if the Centre failed to act.
"Modi ji, I once again request you to accept Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Otherwise, the issue will not remain limited to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation alone; it will come for your resignation also," he said.
Calling Pradhan an "incompetent and failed minister", Dipke said the interests of millions of students should take precedence over protecting a minister.
"An incompetent and failed minister cannot be more important than the crores of students in this country. If a failed and incompetent minister is being considered more important than these crores of students, then remember: no one in India will vote for you in the elections," he added.
- 23 Jul 2026, 05:58:16 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: ‘Stand with our students’, says Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's wife backs CJP protest over NEET leak
CJP protest LIVE: Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt, wife of jailed former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, voiced support for students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak, accusing the government of suppressing dissent instead of addressing their concerns.
"As the wife of a man who dedicated his life to upholding the Constitution, stood for truth without compromise, and continues to pay the price for questioning those in power, I cannot remain silent today," she said.
Calling the NEET paper leak "not merely an examination scandal," Bhatt said it represented "a betrayal of the trust and aspirations of millions of hardworking students."
"The youth of India are not asking for privilege. They are demanding fairness, transparency, and an education system free from corruption," she said.
She alleged that instead of responding with "honesty and accountability," the government had "chosen a path of intimidation and force."
"A democracy does not respond to its young citizens by suppressing their voices. It listens, it answers, and it acts," Bhatt said.
She added that attempts to silence the protesters would only strengthen their resolve.
"Every attempt to silence students only strengthens their resolve. India's future belongs to these young men and women, not to those who fear their questions."
Concluding her statement, she appealed for public support for the protesting students.
"Stand with our students. Stand for justice. Stand for the Constitution."
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- 23 Jul 2026, 05:44:20 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Govt ready for fresh talks with protesting students, says J P Nadda
CJP protest LIVE: Amid the ongoing student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Union minister J P Nadda on Thursday said the government was ready to hold another round of talks with the protesters and was open to meeting them either at his office or residence.
Nadda's remarks come as the CJP, which has been leading the agitation at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak, announced that the next round of discussions with the Centre should take place either at the protest site or at a neutral venue.
- 23 Jul 2026, 05:35:51 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Internet cut in central Delhi till midnight as Sansad Marg grows tense; bottles thrown at cops
CJP protest LIVE: The internet shutdown order issued to telecom service providers on July 23 was initially extended until 4:30 pm.
Authorities have now extended the suspension further, with internet services set to remain suspended until midnight.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 05:28:16 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: TMC's Saket Gokhale files complaint against Delhi cop over alleged assault on woman protester
CJP protest LIVE: Trinamool Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale on Thursday said he had filed a police complaint against Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba over the alleged assault of a woman protester during police action near Jantar Mantar on July 20.
In a post on X, Gokhale said he had submitted the complaint to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Parliament Street police station, seeking the registration of an FIR against Lamba.
He alleged that the officer assaulted a woman protester during the police crackdown on students marching towards Parliament.
According to Gokhale, the complaint invokes several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 74 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), Section 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 131 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation) and Section 198 (public servant disobeying the law with intent to cause injury), read with Section 3(5).
- 23 Jul 2026, 05:10:15 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: 'PM hasn't come to Parliament', says Priyanka Gandhi attacks Centre over NEET row
CJP protest LIVE: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday criticised the Centre over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from Parliament amid the controversy over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the Opposition's demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi questioned why the Prime Minister had not addressed the issue despite the ongoing student protests across the country.
"Such a big agitation is taking place; the youth of the nation is sitting outside, but the Prime Minister has not come to Parliament. And you are asking me why Parliament is not functioning?" she said.
(Inputs from ANI)
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- 23 Jul 2026, 05:02:54 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Tension escalates at Sansad Marg as protesters, police face off; bottles thrown
CJP protest LIVE: The situation remains highly tense at the Sansad Marg–Tolstoy Lane intersection, where protesters and police are standing face to face, separated only by a rope barricade.
A few bottles have been thrown towards the police personnel amid the standoff, further escalating tensions in the area.
(Inputs from Hemani)
- 23 Jul 2026, 04:48:15 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP asks, 'What does the government want?' after CP shutdown advisory
CJP protest LIVE: Shops, offices and restaurants in Connaught Place will shut from 6.30 pm on Thursday following an NDTA advisory citing the situation around the CJP-led protest in Delhi.
The advisory drew criticism from the CJP which questioned the government's decision to order the closure.
Reacting on X, the CJP said: "Order to close all shops in Connaught Place by 6:30 pm this evening. What does the government want to do??"
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- 23 Jul 2026, 04:40:29 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP blames ‘infiltrators’ for violence
CJP protest LIVE: Responding to questions about the violence during the protests, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the agitation had been peaceful from the outset and blamed the unrest on anti-social elements.
“Our protest from day one has been peaceful. But it has been infiltrated by anti-social elements,” Ranka told HT.
He added that CJP volunteers were identifying such individuals and asking them to leave the protest site.
- 23 Jul 2026, 04:35:43 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Tension escalates near Parliament street, police face off; bottles thrown
CJP protest LIVE: Tension remained high at the Sansad Marg-Tolstoy Marg intersection on Thursday, with police and protesters standing face-to-face, separated only by a rope barricade.
A few bottles were thrown towards the police personnel as the standoff continued, adding to the already charged atmosphere near the protest site.
Heavy security remains deployed in the area as authorities monitor the situation closely. Further details are awaited.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 04:05:59 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: Crime Branch to probe 11 cases linked to Jantar Mantar protest violence
CJP protest LIVE: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has been tasked with investigating all 11 cases registered in connection with the alleged violence during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests in and around Jantar Mantar between July 20 and July 22.
A formal order issued on Thursday transferred the cases registered at Parliament Street, Connaught Place, Barakhamba Road, Mandir Marg and Kartavya Path police stations to the Crime Branch for further investigation.
- 23 Jul 2026, 04:01:55 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: SC lawyers hold protest, back Jantar Mantar agitation
CJP protest LIVE: A group of Supreme Court lawyers on Thursday held a protest under the slogan “Save Democracy, Save Constitution” in support of the student agitation at Jantar Mantar.
Expressing solidarity with the protesters, one advocate said, “We're standing with all the students who are protesting for their rights, and we want justice for all of them.”
Another advocate said members of the legal fraternity were opposing the alleged injustice against students. “We have taken this to extend our support so that it can be conveyed to everybody in the country that the Supreme Court Bar Association members have taken this vow to stand and support... all the brutalities which have been done to the students,” the advocate said.
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- 23 Jul 2026, 03:50:24 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: JP Nadda renews talks offer to CJP, ‘come to our residence or official office’
CJP protest LIVE: Union minister JP Nadda on Thursday reiterated the Centre's offer to hold talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), saying the government remains open to discussions.
Responding to the updated proposal for dialogue, Nadda said, “Yes, we are ready. Come to our residence or to our official office.”
- 23 Jul 2026, 03:48:14 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP again rejects Centre's offer for talks at Nadda's residence
CJP protest LIVE: Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka rejected the Centre's latest offer for talks, saying the government had refused to meet at the protest site.
Referring to Union minister Jitendra Singh's statement that the government had reached out to the CJP four times, Ranka said, “We asked them to come to Jantar Mantar. They refused. They asked us to come to JP Nadda's house.”
Ranka then asked the crowd whether the CJP should accept the invitation to meet at Nadda's residence. After protesters responded with a unanimous “NO”, he said, “Then we will not go. The public has decided.”
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- 23 Jul 2026, 03:44:09 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CP market closure a precautionary step, says traders' body president
CJP protest LIVE: Connaught Place traders' body president Atul Bhargava said the advisory to shut shops and offices by 6:30 pm on Thursday was issued purely as a precautionary measure to prevent any damage to property.
“We got calls from NDMC that it is advisable to close the shops by 6.30 pm. The number of people coming to this area is much higher today,” Bhargava said.
He added that no property damage had been reported, including during the July 20 protests. “We have around 1,400 shops and over 1,000 big and small offices in the area, and this is a precautionary measure,” he said.
- via Paras Singh
- 23 Jul 2026, 03:39:15 PM IST
CJP protest LIVE: CJP gives nationwide peaceful protest call on July 24
CJP protest LIVE: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday called for nationwide peaceful protests on July 24, urging supporters to take the agitation beyond Delhi.
Appealing to people across the country, the organisation asked citizens to hold peaceful demonstrations "in every city and every village" to press for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Let's make this protest national. On July 24, please hold peaceful protests across the country, in every city and every village,” the CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said.
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