LIVE: Fresh police crackdown on Jantar Mantar protesters; tear gas fired, internet cut off

JP Nadda likely to meet CJP representatives today

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda is expected to hold talks with representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Wednesday as efforts continue to open a dialogue with the protesters.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation had been informed by the police about the proposed meeting and that the information had been conveyed to Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, reported the Hindustan Times.

Confirming the development, Ranka said, “We are in touch with them. Rest of the details are not known.”

UP Deputy CM Maurya calls Congress protest outside PM residence 'irresponsible'

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Wednesday criticised the Congress-led protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, describing the demonstration as "irresponsible" and alleging that it posed a threat to the Prime Minister's security.

The remarks came a day after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, staged a sit-in outside 7, Lok Kalyan Marg demanding Modi's resignation. The protest ended with police detaining the leaders before releasing them later.

Defending the government's response, Maurya said, "The protest outside the prime minister's residence was irresponsible. It was an attempt to endanger the PM's security. Even after a senior Union minister met them and agreed to a discussion, they remained on dharna. It was an attempt to make a mockery of the entire system."

He argued that Parliament, which is currently in session, was the proper forum for raising public issues. "When Parliament is in session, there is no need for such protests on the streets. Protests are normally held within the Parliament complex. I strongly condemn yesterday's conduct," he said.

Maurya also accused the Opposition of trying to create unrest, saying, "If they have issues, they should raise them in Parliament. Such street protests cannot be justified in any way in democratic politics."

Akhilesh breaks ranks, pushes for immediate NEET debate

Chinks also emerge in Opposition coordination, with Akhilesh saying the resignation of the minister can be taken anytime, but the discussion must happen now. Akhilesh also objected to Birla giving Venugopal and Rijiju a chance to speak but not allowing him to make his intervention. "Have you (Birla) compromised with them (BJP and Congress)... you are allowing them to speak but not giving me a chance; this is wrong," Akhilesh said.

Akhilesh questions PM's silence on NEET, House adjourned Till 2 pm

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in the Lok Sabha says the Opposition was compelled to protest outside the PM Modi's residence because the government was not discussing the issue in Parliament. "If the PM can make statements outside Parliament, why can't he come here and speak?" asks Yadav. The SP chief says this issue is not about the Samajwadi Party, the Congress or any political party but about the students and youth of the country.

Earlier, Congress MP KC Venugopal had also told the Speaker that the Opposition is willing for a discussion under adjournment motion once Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Amid protests by the Opposition, the House was adjourned till 2 PM.

Govt ready for NEET debate after consensus on rules: Rijiju

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tells the House the government is ready for a discussion on NEET paper leak once the Speaker discusses with all floor leaders the rule under which the discussion should take place.

DMRC closes 16 Metro stations amid tightened security

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the closure of 16 metro stations across the national capital until further notice as security arrangements remain in place.

The affected stations 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

The DMRC said interchange services will continue to operate at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat despite the station closures.

Congress insists Pradhan quit before Parliament debate

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday accused the Centre of undermining democratic values, saying Parliament was refusing to discuss issues affecting students protesting over alleged examination irregularities.

Dressed in black in solidarity with the protesters, Priyanka told reporters, "There is nothing undemocratic about that. What is undemocratic is what is happening in Parliament and on the streets." She alleged that the Opposition was being prevented from raising the issue, adding, "In Parliament, debate is not being allowed. The Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to speak, and neither are other opposition leaders."

Questioning the functioning of the House, she said, "The Speaker says he has to ask the government whether a debate can take place. What is this? Democracy is finished."

Referring to Tuesday's protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, where Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were detained before being released, she said, "We are standing with the students and raising their voice." Priyanka added that the protesters were seeking justice over a "genuine issue" affecting students across the country.

Both Houses of Parliament adjourned till 2 pm

Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition ruckus 

Dipke says CJP sit-in will continue till Pradhan resigns

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday said the ongoing sit-in at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan steps down.

Addressing protesters at the demonstration site, Dipke made it clear that the agitation would not be called off unless the minister resigned. “Till the time there is resignation (of Dharmendra Pradhan), we will keep sitting here. The government will have to come here to talk,” he said.

CJP protest enters second month as sit-in continues at Jantar Mantar

The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar continued on Wednesday, with supporters staying put despite heavy security and fresh volunteers joining the sit-in as the agitation over alleged examination irregularities entered its second month.

In a post on X, the CJP claimed that "thousands and thousands of protesters are at Jantar Mantar this morning" and renewed its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, asking, "Why does the Pradhan Mantri (prime minister) love the Mantri Pradhan (Minister Pradhan) more than India's youth?"

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, "We will not leave this spot until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. July 20 was a milestone moment in India's political history, especially in post-Independence India. The youth won't stay quiet anymore."

Founder Abhijeet Dipke clarified that the organisation had called for protests only at Jantar Mantar. "Cockroach Janta Party has not given a call to assemble anywhere but at Jantar Mantar, where our peaceful protest is on," he said, adding that "They are not with CJP." Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite fast at Medanta Hospital.