Three more persons were arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence during a protest here two days ago against the NEET paper leak, taking the total number of apprehended people to 14, the police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced stringent measures, including the establishment of fast-track courts, to combat exam paper leaks and protect the future of India's youth, following widespread protests over the NEET paper leak.
'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.'
Students at Stanford University staged a walkout during Google CEO Sundar Pichai's commencement address, protesting the company's ties with the Israeli government, particularly its Project Nimbus cloud-computing deal.
Amidst escalating protests over the NEET paper leak, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has declared Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation 'non-negotiable' and is also demanding 1 crore compensation for families affected by suicides linked to the exam cancellation.
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.
An Indian Parliamentary panel has summoned major social media platforms like Meta, Google, X, and Snapchat, along with MeitY and Home Affairs officials, to discuss the regulation of digital platforms. The meeting, scheduled for August 3, will focus on user privacy, public order, and the platforms' role in recent protests.
Bihar on Wednesday witnessed a pitched battle between hundreds of student activists demanding Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and the police, which used tear gas shells, water cannons and batons in a bid to prevent their 'Lok Bhavan march'.
At the end of this journey, no matter now it ends, these youngsters will know something essential about the Indian government, the Indian judiciary, the Indian media, the Indian police, the Indian laws and indeed about Indian society, asserts Aakar Patel.
The Lok Sabha has approved an amendment to India's anti-paper leak law, introducing stricter punishments including jail terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, in response to recent large-scale student protests and the NEET paper leak case.
Protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) remained camped at Jantar Mantar following a police crackdown during their 'Sansad Chalo' march, demanding accountability for alleged exam irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Hansraj College in Delhi is reconsidering the suspension of 30 students after protests, following alleged misconduct during the college fest and social media activity. The college disciplinary committee met to hear the students' sides, and a decision is expected soon.
'There should have been more transparency in the process which even today we don't know.'
A resident of Bihar's Kishanganj district, Mohammad Sadaqat, claims he was wrongly booked for a NEET paper leak protest despite being in Russia for four months. His video has gone viral, prompting the state government to announce the withdrawal of all cases related to the protests and the release of those arrested.
'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.'
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.
The Cockroach Janata Party's protest site in New Delhi was dismantled by police following a thwarted march to Parliament that involved tear gas and baton charges. Despite the police action, protesters regrouped at Jantar Mantar, vowing to continue their agitation until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged examination irregularities. Activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike stage was also removed, but leaders confirmed the movement's resolve.
Easing Gyanesh Kumar out would create a hazardous political precedent because forcing out a top official, due to public pressure, projects an image of reactive, defensive governing. Furthermore, making a high-level official like the CEC to hand in his papers would validate Opposition claims that Constitutional referees have been compromised, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that an appeal would be filed against an Allahabad High Court decision that quashed the detention of Delhi University student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act. The High Court had also awarded Rs 5 lakh compensation to Chaudhary and criticised the "despotic" conduct of the Gautam Buddha Nagar DM. The Supreme Court also expressed displeasure over a Greater Noida executive magistrate's notice to another student for protest participation.
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which introduces fast-track courts and significantly enhances punishment for those involved in public examination question paper leaks.
The Congress party, through Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi, has criticised the proposed amendments to India's anti-paper leaks law, arguing that previous legislation has failed to prevent examination leaks. Gogoi highlighted the ongoing student protests and questioned the government's sincerity, particularly regarding the handling of the NEET fiasco and the welcome given to former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He also raised concerns about the National Testing Agency's accountability.
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 Indian government has significantly altered its approach to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led agitation over the NEET paper leak, moving from dismissal to calibrated political engagement, including promises of fast-track courts, a new anti-paper leak law, and negotiations with key protest leaders.
Swatantra Bharadwaj, accused of assaulting a student's father during the Jantar Mantar protest, managed to flee from Bulandshahr just as Delhi Police teams arrived to arrest him. Police are actively searching for Bharadwaj, who was seen admitting to the assault on social media.
Following Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amidst widespread student protests over the NEET paper leak, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the youth, calling it a crucial step for education reform, and urged broader public action to hold the government accountable, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Researchers and students at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) protested against hateful graffiti targeting a specific community that appeared on campus. The graffiti was discovered shortly after a blast near the Red Fort in Delhi. Students and faculty members participated in rallies and put up posters denouncing the messages and reaffirming the institute's commitment to pluralism and secularism. The ISI Director condemned the act and pledged to take remedial measures.
Holding Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for alleged police brutalities on protesting students, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that "Jan Shakti" (people's power) will "drag him out" one day to make him accountable.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi staged a six-hour dharna at a police station in New Delhi, demanding an FIR for 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who sustained pellet gun injuries during a July 20 protest. The FIR was registered after Gandhi's protest, with the BJP criticising his actions as 'politics of anarchy'.
The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide, spent eight hours at the Mumbai Crime Branch office, while Union Minister Ramdas Athawale visited IIT Bombay, seeking a thorough investigation into the death and alleging potential caste discrimination.
A Zero FIR has been registered in Noida against a woman, Ruchika Singh, for allegedly using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The complaint, filed by Smriti Singh, alleges that the accused hurt the dignity of the constitutional office and intended to spread hatred. The case, registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, will be transferred to New Delhi for further investigation. The incident occurred during the Cockroach Janta Party's protests against competitive examination paper leaks, which led to the education minister's resignation.
Activist Manish Brahmbhatt has launched the Cockroach Janta Party-Democratic (CJP-D) as an alternative to the existing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Brahmbhatt alleges that the CJP, led by Abhijeet Dipke, has deviated from its student-led origins, becoming too aligned with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and failing to represent its diverse volunteer base, particularly regarding issues like examination paper leaks.
Seventeen metro stations in central Delhi have been closed for the third consecutive day due to security concerns stemming from an ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) near Jantar Mantar. The closures have significantly inconvenienced daily commuters, including office-goers and students, prompting the Supreme Court Bar Association to file a plea regarding access to the court.
Delhi Police has deployed over 6,000 personnel, 220 companies of CAPF, and an expanded CCTV network in New Delhi for the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march on Friday. The march, which has not been granted permission, is planned for Central Park in Connaught Place, which will be closed. Prohibitory orders are in force, and police are prepared to take action against violators, while also offering an alternative, suitable location for a flag march to a select group.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved to a new office and deployed CISF security to safeguard confidential areas, following a major controversy over the NEET paper leak and administrative lapses. This move aims to implement foolproof security arrangements and restore public trust in the examination system.
Maharashtra BJP minister Chandrakant Patil claimed Delhi Police are collecting fingerprints from stones used in the CJP agitation and linking them to Aadhaar numbers for protester identification and background checks. This statement, made in Kolhapur, drew sharp criticism and mockery from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, who suggested Patil be nominated for a Nobel Prize for his "scientific innovation." The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar involved clashes and stone-pelting over examination paper leaks.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation, alleging that orders to use force against students during the July 20 "Sansad Chalo" march over the NEET exam paper leak must have come from Shah himself. Dipke also criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the new Education Minister and dismissed Yoga guru Ramdev's comments on Gen Z.
After six days of stalemate, a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill began on Tuesday in Lok Sabha with the government describing it as a reaffirmation of ruling dispensation's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students but opposition hit back over the lathi-charge on protesters, saying every blow on them hurt the government's prestige more than the backs of the youth.
CCTV footage purportedly showing a student leaving an exam hall at IIT Bombay has gone viral, coinciding with allegations of caste-based harassment following the suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode. The professor named in the FIR has been sent on leave.
Protesters at Jantar Mantar are facing significant health challenges due to scorching heat, high humidity, and overcrowding, leading to widespread viral infections, dehydration, and injuries. Volunteer doctors are providing essential medical care amidst these difficult conditions.
Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj has been sent to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the alleged assault on a student activist's father during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Bhardwaj was detained after claiming he "cracked the skull" of the victim and escaped arrest due to political connections. Additional charges under the SC/ST Act, criminal intimidation, POCSO Act, and IT Act have also been added.
