IIT Bombay has removed Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean of Administrative Affairs, from his post and issued a public apology following the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, who his parents allege faced caste-based discrimination.
Thousands of protesters, including farmers, trade unionists, students, and Left party members, marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging 'vote chori' and exclusion of eligible citizens.
The Congress party in Maharashtra has accused the police of illegally entering its Mumbai headquarters, Tilak Bhawan, and arresting tribal students and NSUI members who were protesting. While the police deny these claims, stating no arrests were made from the building, the Congress has threatened to gherao the Chief Minister's residence if the detained individuals are not released, escalating a political confrontation over student protests.
Student organisations across India celebrated the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, attributing it to their nationwide protests against alleged NEET irregularities. While welcoming the move as a victory, groups like NSUI, AISA, and SFI affirmed their commitment to continue agitations until broader demands for accountability, transparency, and education reforms, including scrapping the NTA and NEP, are met.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand, urging the state government, of which Congress is a part, to engage in dialogue and resolve their issues immediately. Police in Ranchi had used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charged job aspirants attempting to reach the state assembly.
Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, engaged in violent protests, vandalising property and clashing with police over unverified claims of a female student being raped on campus. The unrest led to the suspension of classes and postponement of exams, while police registered a rape case and formed an SIT, despite the university denying the allegations as 'rumours'.
The Supreme Court has affirmed its decision not to alter the five-member high-powered committee, led by former Justice R Subhash Reddy, which is investigating allegations of police excesses against student protesters and violence against police personnel in Delhi. The court dismissed concerns about potential bias, stating the committee acts as its "extended hand" and will function under its supervision. It also noted the suspension of an executive magistrate who issued a show-cause notice to a student involved in protests.
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia University protested an event marking 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), citing concerns over the 'saffronisation' of the campus and unequal treatment by the university administration.
The Supreme Court has decided to form a high-powered committee, including retired judges and former top police officials, to investigate allegations of police excesses against student protesters in Delhi. The committee will examine video evidence and complaints, particularly from female protesters, and the court may quash FIRs against students without grave criminal antecedents, upholding the right to peaceful protest.
Two days after a 36-day student agitation concluded at Jantar Mantar, the iconic protest site in New Delhi is already witnessing new demonstrations, including calls for Gorkhaland and women's reservation, alongside curious visitors documenting the aftermath.
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has registered a fresh FIR to investigate a "larger conspiracy" behind the violence that occurred during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in the national capital on July 20, focusing on alleged instigators and premeditation.
The Supreme Court of India strongly criticised a Greater Noida executive magistrate for issuing a notice to a student who participated in a protest, despite the court's earlier order against penal action on student protesters. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed surprise at the magistrate's action and stated that an explanation would be sought. The court had previously quashed FIRs against student protesters and directed compensation for families affected by the NEET paper leak.
Nirma University has formed a three-member committee to investigate an incident where a professor allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show. The incident, captured in a viral video, led to apologies from both parties and protests from student organisations, prompting the university to launch a formal inquiry.
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 has rejected pleas to reconstitute a high-powered committee investigating alleged police excesses against student protesters in Delhi, stating that the allegations against the panel were based on conjecture. The court emphasised the committee's role in ensuring fairness and transparency, and directed it to proceed with its inquiry into various issues including the use of pellet guns, targeted violence, and property destruction, while ensuring protection and confidentiality for vulnerable witnesses.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong support for protesting students, asserting that their demand for the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is non-negotiable. He contrasted the students as India's future with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the past, encouraging the students to continue their agitation at Jantar Mantar.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed strong solidarity with Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was invigilating an exam where a student was found using a smartphone, an incident preceding the student's death by alleged suicide.
Ahead of fresh protests scheduled for Saturday, France will deploy around 70,000 police personnel nationwide as authorities prepare to prevent a recurrence of widespread looting, arson and vandalism that erupted alongside demonstrations last week.
Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara are facing abuse and harassment after the university released a video featuring them, allegedly without their consent, to dismiss claims of a student's rape. The students involved claim the video was cropped and they were not consulted before its release, leading to further distress amidst campus protests and highway blockage.
A college student in Kochi has been arrested for allegedly morphing photographs and videos of teachers and female students into obscene content and circulating them on social media platforms like Telegram and Instagram. The arrest followed a complaint from the college management, which also dismissed the student. Police are investigating the extent of the network and potential financial motives.
Six-year-old Aditya gained attention for his bold comments during a student protest in Patna against Bihar Public Service Commission examinations. Despite social media rumours of his arrest, police clarified he was held for safety and returned to his parents, advising them to be more careful. The protest saw clashes, lathi-charge, and injuries.
Four members of the Hindu Raksha Dal were arrested in Delhi for allegedly assaulting students and women during a protest on October 10. The arrests came after a video of the incident went viral, prompting police to take suo motu cognisance despite no formal complaint. The incident occurred amidst broader protests and detentions.
A Class XI Dalit student in Coimbatore died by suicide on October 21, allegedly due to caste-based harassment and bullying by classmates over his caste and food choices, including beef. Police have registered cases against the principal, a teacher, and two classmates, with the teacher already arrested. The incident has led to protests and calls from political leaders for stringent action and measures to eliminate caste discrimination in schools.
The Supreme Court will hear a plea from the Centre to quash FIRs against students involved in NEET examination paper leak protests. This development comes amidst planned fresh protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and follows previous court directives regarding the nature of charges against student protesters.
Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs against individuals who allegedly violated prohibitory orders in Connaught Place during the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra do Tiranga' protest. Despite warnings, a crowd gathered on Friday, leading to legal action. The protests, involving CJP supporters and student activists, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) has announced its support for the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed September 5 protest march in Delhi. The demonstration aims to demand the withdrawal of FIRs against students and an inquiry into alleged pellet and bullet firing during previous agitations, alongside addressing unresolved issues related to the NEET exam.
IIT Delhi has reconstituted the external probe panel investigating the death of an MSc Physics student, appointing retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta as its head. This decision follows the recusal of the previous chair, Ashok Kumar, and ongoing student protests on campus. The panel includes medical experts and student representatives to examine the circumstances of the alleged suicide.
Students in Jharkhand are protesting alleged irregularities in various recruitment examinations, including JPSC and JSSC. A student leader has launched an indefinite hunger strike, demanding a federal probe and cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. The Cockroach Janta Party has extended support, and a march to the Assembly is planned for August 7.
France is preparing for fresh demonstrations on October 24 with a "massive" police deployment and extended curfews, following days of violent unrest. The protests, initially sparked by school conditions, have broadened into a nationwide campaign against rising living costs and declining public services, leading to over 2,500 arrests and significant damage.
Marchers would walk four or five abreast through one side of the main Mahatma Gandhi Road, holding red or white banners that stretched from one end to the other, shouting slogans, calling upon passers by, including employees watching from the offices that line the road, to join (Dekhta kya/Shaamil ho), recalls Jyoti Punwani.
A Class XI Dalit student in Coimbatore allegedly died by suicide after facing caste-based harassment and bullying from classmates over his caste and food choices, including beef. Police have registered cases against the principal, a teacher, and two classmates for abetment of suicide and under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, with the class teacher already arrested.
The parents of Sahil Wakode, an IIT Bombay student who died by suicide, are continuing their hunger strike for a second day, demanding the arrest of those they hold responsible. They allege caste discrimination and seek justice for their son, with Union Minister Ramdas Athawale assuring support.
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill has called for compassion and mutual respect amidst ongoing student protests against exam paper leaks. In an Instagram message, Gill emphasised the importance of education and students' future, urging peaceful expression of views.
A Hindu College postgraduate student and her friend were allegedly harassed and nearly abducted by men in a car in Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar. Police have traced the vehicle and registered an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with further investigation ongoing.
French Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said police arrested 1,200 protesters on Saturday, and 150 personnel were injured as demonstrations across the country over the rising cost of living turned violent.
Right-wing political commentator T G Mohandas was arrested in Kochi for allegedly making inflammatory remarks in a YouTube video about a students' protest in Delhi. The remarks included claims about gang rape at protests and advocating for opening fire on protesters.
Hundreds of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters and student activists held flash protests across Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, and Mandi House on Friday, calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrations, which included slogans, placards, and participation from student bodies and Left leaders, led to significant police deployment, disruption of commercial activity, and the detention of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. Police had denied permission for the planned 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march, citing prohibitory orders.
The Mumbai Police has transferred the alleged suicide case of a second-year IIT Bombay BTech student to the Crime Branch after his father filed a complaint alleging casteist slurs and harassment by Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, who was also named in an FIR.
A viral video from Mumbai shows a man opening the latch of a police van, allowing detained student protesters to escape during a demonstration in Chembur. The incident occurred amidst a larger student protest against prohibitory orders, where hundreds were initially detained. Another video features a woman criticising police conduct and demanding the Union Education Minister's resignation. Mumbai police have registered multiple cases and booked hundreds in connection with recent protests.
Students affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA) protested against Delhi University's decision to conduct examinations on Eid-ul-Azha, alleging manhandling by security personnel. The university has stated that exams will proceed as scheduled, despite criticism and a High Court order offering relief only to law students.
