Live: CJP calls for nationwide protest on Friday; Delhi Police says no crackdown plan tonight
CJP calls Modi’s announcement 'merely an attempt to mislead people’, says students want accountability, responsibility and nothing short of Pradhan’s resignation
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued with its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET exam paper leak issue, for the 34th consecutive day on Thursday (July 23).
Breaking his silence on the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure action against those involved in exam paper leaks.
However, Modi’s bid to placate the protesting students did little, with the CJP calling it a distraction that fails to address the root cause of the NEET paper leak issue. The outfit said the government must take accountability, starting with the resignation of Pradhan.
Also read: Has CJP protest revealed a chink in BJP’s armour? | Talking Sense With Srini
In the evening, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, “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; it will come for your resignation also...An incompetent and failed minister cannot be more important than the crores of students in this country...”
During the day, CJP also turned down Union minister JP Nadda’s invitation for talks, insisting that it will only hold talks at a neutral venue.
Modi's big message
Early in the day, Modi said in a post on X that "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!" In reply, the CJP posted a meme showing a photo of Dharmendra Pradhan with the caption "My name is Nothing."
Modi in his post said, "We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared."
Also read: Fresh police crackdown on Jantar Mantar protesters; tear gas fired, internet cut off
INDIA bloc marches to Gandhi Smriti
Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday hit back at Union minister J P Nadda for his attack on Rahul Gandhi, saying the former BJP chief's press conference was an unending series of "what-aboutery" and a sure sign of the ruling regime's increasing desperation.
In the evening, Opposition INDIA bloc leaders and MPs marched to Gandhi Smriti to pay homage to the students who took their own lives out of despair because of the question paper leak.
Follow live updates of the CJP protest and related developments throughout the day, here.
Live Updates
- 23 July 2026 11:34 AM IST
Dipke says he is unwell, will be back at protest site in the evening
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says he is down with fever and severe body pain.
- 23 July 2026 11:23 AM IST
Rajya Sabha also adjourned till noon
Rajya Sabha proceedings also adjourned till 12 noon amid Opposition ruckus.
- 23 July 2026 11:18 AM IST
How Delhi protest has spread to several cities in India
Watch our video on nationwide protests on NEET paper leak.
- 23 July 2026 11:05 AM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned till noon
Lok Sabha witnessed uproar and sloganeering from the Opposition as soon as the proceedings began. Session adjourned till 12 noon.
- 23 July 2026 11:00 AM IST
Pedestrian opens latch, detained students escape from police van in Mumbai
A police attempt to shift student protesters in a van in Mumbai’s Chembur area was foiled when a man casually walked up and opened the latch, allowing several youths to gush out and escape, according to a viral video.
The incident occurred during a student protest held on Wednesday afternoon at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan Chowk within the jurisdiction of the Chembur police station. The demonstration was held in violation of prohibitory orders, police said.
According to the police, 700 to 800 protesters had assembled at the site.
An official said that the police personnel exercised restraint and attempted to persuade the crowd to disperse, following which the gathering broke up. Around 200 individuals were identified from the crowd and detained.
In the viral video, a man approaches a police van carrying the detained protesters and opens the latch, enabling several students to jump out and run away, even as a young woman following the vehicle claps.
- 23 July 2026 10:52 AM IST
Look into eyes of youth who bled on streets protesting: Kharge to PM Modi
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to look into the eyes of the youth who bled on the streets protesting.
After Prime Minister Modi made a strong pitch in favour of the youth, saying those who play with their future would not be spared, Kharge stated that all doors for the youth have been shut and asked where should they go.
"Narendramodi ji, Education system has corroded under your watch. We do not need platitudes or peacemeal announcements. Your government lathicharged the youth, used pellet guns, shock batons, indiscriminate brutality with impunity, as if they are not our own children," he said on X while referring to the student protests against exam irregularities.
"Come out of your air-conditioned ivory towers and look into the eyes of the young men and women who bled on the streets, fighting your dictatorship," he said.
The Congress chief said the youth only want "three simple demands to be fulfilled -- "1) Immediately sack Education Minister Pradhan. 2) Apologise for the punitive action & atrocities and 3) Provide justice to those who you targeted." Kharge also alleged that the RSS has captured the education system.
"Youth Unemployment is skyrocketing at 29% (PLFS). No Private jobs, handful of permanent government jobs. Contractualisation at its peak. All doors are shut. Where does the youth go to demand a future?" the Congress leader said.
- 23 July 2026 10:25 AM IST
PM Modi must apologise: Venugopal
Congress leader KC Venugopal hits out at PM Modi.
- 23 July 2026 10:15 AM IST
Delhi Police ACP sustained head injury, bruises in stone pelting near Jantar Mantar: RML Hospital
A Delhi Police ACP was brought to RML Hospital here with a head injury and multiple bruises after a stone-pelting incident near Jantar Mantar, hospital authorities said on Thursday.
"ACP, Connaught Place, Vivek Bhagat, was brought to the Emergency Department of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital following the reported incident of stone pelting last night near Jantar Mantar.
"On examination, he was found to have multiple bruises over both the upper and lower limbs, along with the shoulder, and swelling over the parieto-occipital region (back of the head). The patient also gave a history of ear bleeding and vomiting," the hospital said in a statement.
Bhagat was evaluated by the treating team in the Department of Surgery and provided necessary medical care. Subsequently, the patient expressed his desire to continue further treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi, and was discharged from RML Hospital, it said.
Two assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) and four police personnel were injured in stone-pelting allegedly by protesters near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday evening, police sources said.
They said that many "anti-social" elements had entered the protest site.
- 23 July 2026 10:05 AM IST
Rahul Gandhi responds to PM Modi's X post
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responds to PM's post, accuses him of harming the future of the youth.
