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

SC declines urgent hearing on plea over Delhi protest action

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition alleging police excesses against student protesters during the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) demonstrations in Delhi over alleged examination paper leaks and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

When the matter was mentioned before the court, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant refused to entertain the request for immediate listing, telling the petitioner's counsel, "Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time,” reported Live Law.

The lawyer argued that the protests raised significant concerns, including the conduct of the NEET examination and the need for reforms in the National Testing Agency. However, the Chief Justice cut short the submissions, saying, "Thank you very much."

When the counsel referred to videos purportedly showing police action against protesters, the Chief Justice responded, "We are not interested in videos; we don't have time to watch."

The development came a day after the Delhi High Court also declined to urgently hear a similar plea, stating, "Don't drag the Court into this."

Centre signals talks with Sonam Wangchuk amid fast: Report

The Centre is preparing to open a dialogue with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk after receiving indications that he is willing to hold discussions, according to people familiar with the matter. Wangchuk has been on an indefinite fast for more than 20 days and was shifted to a private hospital on Tuesday.

According to a Hindustan Times report quoting sources, there is a possibility that a Union minister could meet Wangchuk as efforts gather pace to break the deadlock over the ongoing protest.

A senior government functionary said the Centre remained willing to engage with the activist. “The government is open to talks. We have been constantly saying so… they did not come to us earlier. Now that we have been told that he wants to communicate, we will talk,” the official said.

CJP condemns assault on reporter during protest

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das on Wednesday denounced the assault on a journalist during the ongoing protests, saying violence against members of the media was unacceptable under any circumstances.

In a post on X, Das said, “We strongly condemn this violence.…. No one should be resorting to such violence, no matter how much the Police instigates them. Sorry brother. We appeal for peace and calm.”

CJP lists four demands as NEET protest continues

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday listed four key demands that the organisation said must be addressed as its protest over the alleged NEET paper leak continues in the national capital.

According to Ranka, the demands include the “release” of activist Sonam Wangchuk from the hospital, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and ₹1 crore in compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy.

He also announced a fourth demand, calling for all those who participated in the July 20 protest to be protected from legal action. “Many people were worried that they protested peacefully yet they are being targeted. We will ensure no legal action is taken against peaceful protesters. We will get arrested before you guys,” Ranka said.

Centre deploys 20 more CRPF companies in Delhi amid CJP protest

The Centre has ordered the deployment of 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Delhi as security arrangements are intensified amid the continuing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, reported the Hindustan Times.

The additional personnel are being airlifted from West Bengal after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed their immediate deployment in the national capital. Officials said the reinforcements are intended to bolster law and order as protests continue alongside demonstrations by political parties and the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

According to officials, each CRPF company comprises around 100 personnel. The newly deployed forces will supplement the paramilitary units and Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies already assisting the Delhi Police in securing central Delhi following violent clashes during Monday's "Sansad Chalo" march, in which scores of protesters and police personnel were injured. Authorities have since stepped up security around Parliament and key government installations to prevent further unrest.

DMRC shuts 4 metro stations amid heightened security

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday announced the temporary closure of Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations, citing security concerns.

In a post on X, the DMRC said, "Due to security reasons, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations have been closed till further instructions. Interchange facility is available at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat."

The advisory comes amid heightened security arrangements in central Delhi following clashes between police and protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Sansad Chalo" march. Authorities have tightened security around Parliament and adjoining areas, with traffic restrictions and public transport curbs put in place to prevent further disruptions. The protest over alleged NEET irregularities left several protesters and police personnel injured and has since drawn widespread political attention.

Kharge slams police action over Congress protest detentions

Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the police detention of Congress leaders during the party's protest outside LKM Hospital a day earlier.

Referring to the police action, Kharge said, "I said yesterday itself that this is not a democratic govt. They are functioning like dictatorship. They do not respect MPs. They harass even those who protest as per rules."

He also alleged that "BJP-RSS volunteers work among Police without badges. Terrorising students and Congress leaders is what they do indirectly..."

Warning the government against targeting Opposition leaders, Kharge said, "If you try to crush our senior leaders, lakhs of people will stand up. You will not be able to control them then. We are not going to be scared, we will continue to fight."

He further added, "You will regret what you did to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi...We will show them that Congress party and INDIA bloc will continue to fight."

Stalin backs NEET protest, renews call to scrap exam

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday threw his weight behind the nationwide student protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, reiterating his party's long-standing demand that the medical entrance test be abolished.

In a post on X, Stalin said the demonstrations in the national capital had brought the issue into sharp national focus. “The students' protest in New Delhi has now captured the attention of the entire country. We were the first to warn that NEET was designed to enable large-scale irregularities. That is why the DMK has opposed NEET from the very beginning, consistently pointing out the dangers it poses,” he said.

Renewing the party's opposition to the examination, Stalin added, “Tamil Nadu, which led India in defending social justice and paved the way for the First Constitutional Amendment, has only one demand: Abolition of NEET. More than any other demand, the abolition of NEET must be at the heart of these protests.”

Calling for the entrance test to be scrapped, he said its abolition was the only “lasting solution to all these problems.”

Stalin's remarks came as protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities gathered political support across the country. The student-led movement, which intensified after clashes with police during the "Sansad Chalo" march in Delhi, has drawn backing from several Opposition parties, turning the controversy into one of the biggest political challenges faced by the Centre in recent months.

Uddhav Thackeray slams Modi govt for not engaging with protesters

On CJP and students' protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray says, "If someone protests, it's the government's duty to go and talk to them about what they have to say. If they have any misunderstandings, it's the government's duty to resolve them, and this government didn't do that. If they had talked to them on the first day, things wouldn't have escalated to this point... Just like we protested in Mumbai, we'll do more... Talking is what happens in a democracy. Otherwise, you could call it dictatorship..."

'Insensitive, incompetent, inveterate liar': Congress slams minister Pradhan

The Congress on Wednesday hit back at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his criticism of Rahul Gandhi, saying the BJP leader is "insensitive, incompetent, inveterate liar" and that there will be a proper accounting of "Mantri Pradhan's abysmal record" as minister soon.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that at a time when Pradhan has disappointed the aspirations of millions of students, he refuses to resign and instead continues to demonstrate his unchecked arrogance and pettiness through social media posts.

Ramesh's remarks came after Pradhan asserted on Tuesday that the government is committed to discussing issues related to the NEET and addressing every genuine concern of youngsters on the floor of Parliament.

Pradhan also slammed Gandhi for staging a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence and accused him of exploiting students as "political tools" to "manufacture" disruption during the Monsoon session of Parliament.

Hitting back at Pradhan, Ramesh said, "Mantri Pradhan is an indifferent, insensitive, incompetent, and inveterate liar like the Pradhan Mantri. At a time when he has disappointed the aspirations of millions of students, he refuses to resign and instead continues to demonstrate his unchecked arrogance and pettiness through social media posts." The fact is that the call for Pradhan's resignation is not premised on one issue but a whole host of failures and corruption that has characterised his tenure as Union Minister of Education, Ramesh alleged.

Citing examples of corruption, Ramesh said the continuous failure of the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Pradhan's watch - which includes the multiple paper leaks and paper cancellations of 2024, and the NEET-UG and UGC-NET Sociology paper leak in 2026.

"The Minister's response has been one of arrogance and petty politics, including official denials that any paper leak took place, and a refusal to acknowledge the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education to strengthen the NTA because it has members of the Opposition in it," the Congress leader said.