Cockroach Janta Party protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel near Jantar Mantar on Tuesday evening, prompting authorities to deploy heavy security in the area, sources said.
171 IIT student deaths by suicide or other unnatural causes have been recorded between January 2006 and September 2026. Of these, 120 were recorded between 2016 and September 2026, compared with 51 in the preceding decade.
An official police record reveals that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) fired non-lethal munitions, including plastic pellets, during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march by NEET protesters near Jantar Mantar. This disclosure has intensified political debate, with the Opposition criticising the government over the use of force.
The Supreme Court asserted that the right to peaceful protest is 'absolutely guaranteed' and an agitation cannot justify 'police excesses' or a 'lathi charge,' while agreeing to hear pleas concerning alleged police brutality against students protesting the NEET paper leak.
A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
The ministry of education is actively formulating a computer-based testing strategy to transition the crucial NEET medical entrance exam to an online format.
Delhi Police has launched an investigation into an alleged unauthorised drone operation that captured footage of protesters at Parliament Street. The New Delhi district is a highly sensitive area requiring prior permission for drone flights, and legal action will be taken for violations. Thousands had gathered to protest alleged examination irregularities and demand the Education Minister's resignation, leading to clashes with security personnel.
Bankers said the impact could become more visible from September 29 as customers could withdraw larger amounts of cash, although ATM operations are increasingly managed through third-party cash-loading arrangements.
Delhi Police are investigating chat messages allegedly exchanged among participants of the recent violent 'Sansad Chalo' march. These messages reportedly discuss strategies to maintain communication during potential internet shutdowns and express a willingness to sacrifice lives for the cause. Investigators are verifying the authenticity of these chats and other digital evidence as part of their probe into the clashes that injured police personnel and protesters.
Panshul Bansal, who secured All India Rank 2 in the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, advised protesting students to 'Don't protest. Go, study,' stating he focused on improving his performance after the original exam was cancelled due to a paper leak.
Cockroach Janata Party Spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya has sparked a controversy by defiantly defending his decision to eat a burger during Monday's protests against the NEET paper leak, rejecting public accountability for his personal actions.
'I thought this generation was no good, will not be able to do much with all this social media etc. But then, they surprised us.'
India secured a narrow two-run victory against Japan in a rain-hit T20 International, but the win was overshadowed by a controversial decision in the final over where an on-field umpire reversed a wide call following protests from Indian players.
Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticised the Central government's crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, comparing the police brutality to that of the British Raj. He announced the launch of a helpline to provide medical and legal aid to injured protesters and their families.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been granted three weeks' interim bail by a Delhi court in a case involving the alleged assault on the father of a student activist during a Jantar Mantar protest. Bhardwaj was previously in judicial custody after being detained following public outrage over his claims of assault and political connections.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, after videos of him eating a burger during a protest against police violence and the NEET exam paper leak sparked public outrage and were deemed 'insensitive' by the party.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his support for the ongoing student protests against exam paper leaks, characterising it as a "revolt against feeling of suppression in a democracy." His comments follow similar calls from other prominent sports personalities like Sachin Tendulkar and Shubman Gill for lasting solutions. Students are demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured steps to protect student interests amidst the protests, which recently saw a 'Sansad Chalo' march met with police action.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said protest is a legitimate form of dialogue in a democracy and should be aimed at building consensus rather than creating divisions.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during recent student protests in Delhi, following social media footage and reports of injuries.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has accused the Maharashtra government of conspiring to kill him and suppress his agitation, following Mumbai police's denial of permission for his indefinite hunger strike from September 19. Jarange stated he would proceed with the march to Mumbai despite the ban.
'But they had nothing to negotiate as the government did not negotiate. It is completely the fault of the government as they dumped it on the police.'
A heated exchange occurred in the Supreme Court between senior advocate S Muralidhar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta over Mehta's use of the term "Naxalites" during a hearing on the national song Vande Mataram. Muralidhar strongly objected to the remark, demanding its withdrawal, while Mehta defended his statement, referring to an ideology rather than individuals. The bench intervened, emphasising decorum and constitutional issues.
Families of students detained during the Cockroach Janta Party protest in Delhi said they had been unable to contact them for hours and did not know whether any charges had been filed, as concerns mounted over the whereabouts of those detained.
Police are investigating the suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died hours after being caught allegedly copying in an exam. The probe includes examining his phone calls expressing remorse and allegations of caste discrimination made by his family against a professor. Digital evidence and CCTV footage are being analysed to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the alleged suicide of a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student, Sahil Ravindra Wakode. Wakode was found dead after being caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an exam. His parents have filed a complaint alleging institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, leading to a protest by students. A professor has been named as an accused, and the Crime Branch is expected to summon them for questioning. This marks the third suicide at IIT Bombay in seven months.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters during its "Sansad Chalo" march, alleging that several students were injured and Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, was pushed around, as the outfit continued its protest with a sit-in near Kerala House, after police dismantled the stage at Jantar Mantar.
Police have registered cases against senior DMK leaders A Raja, P K Sekar Babu, and Vasantham Karthikeyan for allegedly making defamatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar during recent party protests. The controversy stems from CM Vijay's comments questioning DMK chief M K Stalin's MISA detention during the Emergency, which the DMK claims is a long-standing narrative.
Mumbai witnessed a second consecutive day of protests by Opposition parties and residents, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET fiasco and condemning the police crackdown on a CJP-led march in Delhi.
The Election Commission of India has introduced a mandatory declaration for new voters, requiring them to provide parental details from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This move, aimed at streamlining voter mapping, has sparked controversy, with some Election Commissioners deeming it "illegal" and "unauthorised" due to potential negative impacts on young voters.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended his indefinite hunger strike, stating he will continue until youth leaders meet parliamentarians or he is allowed to do so from the hospital. This decision follows police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's "Sansad Chalo" march, where thousands were detained while demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reiterated its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on fast-track courts for paper leak cases does not address accountability.
Several protesters alleged they were detained or manhandled during the march, with some claiming they suffered injuries.
IIT Bombay has established a 10-member high-level committee to investigate the alleged suicide of B Tech student Sahil Wakode, who was found dead after being caught using a mobile phone during an exam. Faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla, named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination, has been sent on leave.
Many students and at least 14 police personnel were injured in clashes during protests over NEET paper leak across several districts of Bihar on Thursday, prompting the security forces to fire in the air and baton-charge to disperse the agitators, officers said.
At Jantar Mantar, where students are protesting the NEET paper 'leak' and demanding the Education Minister's resignation, volunteers have transformed the site into a community kitchen, providing a steady supply of food and refreshments as a powerful expression of solidarity.
'Whatever is happening is wrong. Why is the government sleeping? This is wrong.'
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended his Cabinet colleague Keshab Mahanta after Mahanta's daughter joined a protest against NEET exam irregularities, stating that children's actions should not be linked to their parents' political ideologies.
A cultural festival at Badrinath Dham has ignited a major controversy due to a loud music and dance event, leading the Chamoli district administration to issue a show-cause notice to the Garhwal Scouts. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and the Shankaracharya Math have strongly condemned the event, citing violations of cultural and religious decorum and the sanctity of the holy shrine.
Thousands of protesters, including children, students, and the elderly, gathered in central Delhi for the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Chalo Sansad' march towards Parliament. The protest, coinciding with the Monsoon Session, led to clashes with police, who used tear gas and lathi-charge, resulting in injuries to both sides and suspension of internet services. Despite police action and barricades, protesters repeatedly attempted to reach Parliament, leading to a day-long standoff.
Additional Commissioner of Police-Punjabi Bagh, Jai Prakash, sustained a minor fracture after being hit by a stone during a Cockroach Janata Party-led protest near Jantar Mantar, where at least two ACPs and four other personnel were injured.
