CJP Protest Day 4: Student anger grows as Centre faces pressure to respond, talks likely

A delegation of the CJP will meet government ministers on Friday, sources said, amid ongoing discussions to break the deadlock over the NEET paper leak controversy.

The Delhi High Court has designated a special fast-track court at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex to handle criminal cases linked to public examination paper leaks and unfair practices under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The move comes amid growing concerns over exam irregularities and demands for stricter action.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced the closure of 17 Metro stations from 7:30 am on July 24 until further notice amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest. Entry and exit at these stations will remain suspended, while interchange facilities will continue at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat. Commuters have been advised to plan their travel accordingly.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed for calm amid the ongoing CJP-led protests, urging demonstrators to maintain peace and not respond to provocation with violence. His message came as the agitation continued at Jantar Mantar over alleged NEET paper leak irregularities and reports of clashes elsewhere.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders reached Gandhi Smriti in Delhi to express solidarity with students affected by the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The Opposition leaders marched amid heavy security deployment and demanded accountability from the Centre.

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of suppressing student voices and called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest comes amid a continued Opposition push for a discussion on the NEET issue in Parliament.

For the fifth time, mobile internet was suspended again near Delhi's CJP protest site. The shutdown began at 4 pm on 23rd July and is expected to last till midnight. 

TMC MP Mahua Moitra criticised a PIL seeking an NIA probe into Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, calling it a politically motivated attempt to "weaponise" the courts and suppress dissent instead of engaging in dialogue with protesters.

Reacting to the prime minister's post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared an image of Pradhan carrying the caption, "Hi, my name is nothing", while the CJP posted, "Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign."

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka welcomed the prime minister's response but said it came after nearly one-and-a-half months of protests and did not answer the central question behind repeated paper leaks.

Students and activists staged a protest and demanded Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation at the Shivaji Park ground in central Mumbai on Thursday before being chased away by police, with some of the youths falling down.

People found to be directly involved in violence during the CJP protest could face passport cancellation, a Delhi Police source said, warning of strict action against those linked to riots.

Shops and offices in Delhi's Connaught Place have been directed to close by 6.30 pm on Thursday as a precautionary measure amid the ongoing CJP protests in the national capital.

Supreme Court lawyers gather for a recitation of the Preamble to the Constitution at the Supreme Court lawns today under the banner, "Save Democracy, Save Constitution”.
 

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking credit for the country's achievements while holding him responsible for the growing concerns among the youth and the ongoing student protests.

"The PM takes credit for going to Mars and every achievement of this nation, which is the achievement of our youth and people. So now is the time for him to take responsibility," Priyanka Gandhi said.

'Solution to every challenge comes from patience'

Social activist Anna Hazare undertakes maun andolan (silent protest) at Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra to support protesting students in Delhi.

Measure of a nation is not only in economy but in opportunities it creates for young people

We will thrash anyone who tries to disrupt our peaceful protest in Mumbai on July 26

Opposition can decide on date, duration of discussion on NEET paper leak issue in both Houses.

By attaching pre-conditions and excuses, Opposition trying to run away from NEET paper leak debate.

The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Friday a public interest litigation seeking a probe into the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest over alleged examination irregularities at Jantar Mantar here.

The counsel for the petitioner mentioned the PIL before a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia and requested that the case be listed on Friday.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke down with a fever and severe body pain.

CJI says no adverse orders will be passed by SC today on account of non-appearance of lawyers.

CJI Surya Kant says he will intervene if something does not happen by lunch time.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his announcement of setting up fast-track courts for swift punishment of NEET paper leak offenders, alleging that the Prime Minister "does not have the courage" to stand up in Parliament and engage in serious debate.

Widespread protests broke out at Tolstoy Marg and Janpath in the national capital on Wednesday as activists and students continued their agitation against the Centre over exam paper leaks and systemic issues in the education sector.

In a post on X, the CJP tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wrote, "Dharmendra Pradhan must resign." The post referred to an earlier statement by the Prime Minister in which he had said, "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!"

"We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks... Nothing is more important than welfare and future of our youth: PM Modi on paper leaks," PM said. 

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das termed the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as "non-negotiable", adding that the protest would continue until the demand was met. Das said he had spoken to Sonam Wangchuk several times during the day and that they agreed the protest should remain peaceful.

16 metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Delhi Gate and Central Secretariat, closed, says DMRC

The CJP-led protest in Delhi entered a tense phase after fresh clashes erupted on Wednesday evening near Connaught Place, where a Delhi Police officer was injured after miscreants allegedly hurled stones and bottles at security personnel. The violence prompted authorities to tighten security across the national capital, with a heavy police presence deployed at Jantar Mantar