New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke claimed that he has been informed that with a large crowd expected on Saturday and Sunday, the government might attempt to detain or arrest the supporters on Friday night.
“We have been informed that a much larger crowd is expected tomorrow and Sunday. That is why the government is trying to detain or arrest us tonight. If that happens, it will be another major mistake. When they took Sonam Sir away, the movement only grew stronger,” Dipke told reporters.
Chief spokesperson of the movement, Saurav Das, said such action will “only call for mass chaos and its ruin.” Cockroaches all over the country will gather in large numbers in Delhi to peacefully protest such arrests against students, he added.
Reacting to a traffic advisory by Delhi Police, which asked app-based mobility, ride-hailing, food delivery, logistics and e-commerce platforms to regulate operations in the restricted areas, Saurav claimed that the government was preparing to “lay siege to Jantar Mantar.”
The Centre has reportedly dismissed the possibility of Dharmendra Pradhan resigning over the NEET paper leaks, even as it remains the top demand by the Cockroach Janta Party. The minister stepping down would amount to running away from responsibility, and thus, he won’t resign or run away from responsibility, government sources told media persons on Friday, July 24.
CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka said the government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon on their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following their meeting with Union Ministers Jitendra Singh and JP Nadda, Das and Ranka said they have hope the government will remove Pradhan soon. “The government has expressed in-principle approval on the two demands of compensation (for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide) and withdrawal of FIRs, legal cases on students.”
Cockroach Janta Party’s resolve remains firm as they demand Pradhan’s resignation and accountability for the NEET paper leaks.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video posted at midnight, the CJP became even more emboldened, with spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka saying the PM’s actions only prove that the government is now scared of the growing movement.
Live ends
2.5k people with criminal records identified Jantar Mantar
10:38 pm: More than 2,500 people with criminal backgrounds have been identified through the Facial Recognition System (FRS) deployed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar, police sources said.
Delhi Police sets up Special Task Force for paper leaks
10:13 pm: Delhi Police has constituted a Special Task Force (STF) within its Crime Branch to investigate paper leaks and other exam-related offences, according to an official order.
The move has been approved under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act by the police commissioner.
Delhi Police debunks more false information
10:08 pm: Delhi Police on Friday dismissed as “false, baseless and misleading” social media claims that food delivery app services have been banned across the New Delhi area.
They also said that a social media graphic claiming that a woman head constable had died during the Jantar Mantar protest is fake and malicious.
Fadnavis urges NEET agitators to join Pandharpur pilgrimage
09:58 pm: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said some people were taking undue advantage of the ongoing stir over the NEET paper leak by indulging in violence and advised them to participate in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage to get rid of “pollution” in their thinking.
Fast-track courts to come up in 4 MP cities
09:49 pm: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday said fast-track courts would be set up in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur cities for speedy hearing of paper leak cases, and to ensure swift justice and stringent punishment to the culprits.
Nationwide protests
Widespread demonstrations and detentions were reported in Chennai, Madurai, and Mayiladuthurai as thousands of agitators, including students, teachers, youth organisations, and political leaders, pressed for the complete abolition of NEET.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan announced that his party would hold protests across all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on July 27 to demand Pradhan’s resignation and the complete scrapping of NEET.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Jharkhand unit on Friday staged demonstrations and burnt effigies of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the youth over the NEET paper leak and remaining silent on alleged irregularities in the JPSC.
A large number of youths, farmers and activists of various social organisations also held demonstrations in Haryana’s Kaithal and Chandigarh on Friday. Lawyers from the Kaithal Bar Association also staged a dharna outside the Bar Room.
The mother of a NEET aspirant who allegedly committed suicide in May addressed a protest event in Nagpur on Friday at Samvidhan Square. Speaking at the protest event, Neelam Chaturvedi sought justice for her daughter Akanksha Chaturvedi who was found hanging in her room on May 20.
The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Students’ Union in Hyderabad also organised a solidarity gathering in support of the ongoing student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Jamia also warns students; DU students hold march
09:13 pm: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has issued an appeal urging students to refrain from activities that could jeopardise their academic future.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students marched through Delhi University’s North Campus on Friday to protest police action against demonstrators during the CJP’s “Sansad Chalo” rally in Central Delhi on July 20.
At the march organised by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), beginning at the Faculty of Arts, students raised slogans against alleged police brutality, paper leaks, and irregularities in the examination system.
Congress announces nationwide candle marches
09:09 pm: With the protest intensifying across states, the Congress directed its state units to organise a candlelight march and ‘satyagraha’ in each district on Saturday evening to protest against “irregularities in the NEET and CBSE examinations and the subsequent repressive actions by the Modi government”.
NTA terminates 47 officials
09:05 pm: In a major crackdown in the NEET paper leak controversy, the National Testing Agency terminated 47 officials and is set to pursue legal and criminal action against some, officials said on Friday.
Left students’ outfits clash with security forces in Kolkata
08:58 pm: Ripples of students’ unrest in Delhi over the NEET paper leak were felt in Kolkata on Friday as clashes broke out between Left-backed protestors and police personnel during a demonstration, prompting security forces to baton-charge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the agitators, a senior officer said.
Anti-social elements sneaked into Delhi protest: Bandi Sanjay
08:53 pm: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday alleged that anti-social elements who sneaked into the CJP-led protest against the NEET question paper leak issue indulged in attacks against police and journalists, while Congress and other opposition parties are trying to defame the BJP.
NEET protest in Pune amid heavy rain
08:18 pm: Braving heavy rains, thousands of protesters, including students, took out a march in Pune on Friday demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak and denouncing the lathi-charge by Delhi Police on demonstrators.
Kapil Sibal slams DU, JNU for ‘threatening’ students
08:11 pm: With the Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University warning students to “stay away” from Jantar Mantar protests, former education minister Kapil Sibal on Friday slammed the vice chancellors of the two universities and warned that if these “threatening” social media posts were not withdrawn, it may invite legal action.
July 20 social media posts under police scanner
08:10 pm: Delhi Police is examining thousands of videos, social media broadcasts and mobile phone records to identify those involved in the July 20 clashes and establish whether the July 20 violence was pre-planned or erupted spontaneously, sources said on Friday.
Delhi Police issues traffic advisory amid CJP protests
07:58 pm: Delhi Traffic Police on Friday issued a traffic advisory asking the public to avoid travelling to areas under prohibitory orders unless absolutely necessary and advised app-based mobility, food delivery and e-commerce platforms to regulate their operations in the notified zones.
BJD questions effectiveness of proposed paper leak law
07:54 pm: Odisha’s Opposition BJD on Friday questioned the effectiveness of the proposed legislation to curb question paper leaks, saying that merely enacting a law would not be sufficient unless it is implemented firmly and effectively.
BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said that the state government had also passed the Odisha Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, in the state Assembly on December 6, 2024.
However, despite 23 question paper leak incidents allegedly surfacing in the last two years under the BJP government, not a single accused has been punished so far, he claimed.
Mamata Banerjee likely to join CJP protest on Monday
07:46 pm: Trinamool Congress president and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to join the protest being spearheaded by the Cokroach Janta Party (CJP) at the Jantar Mantar on Monday, sources said.
Food-carrying boys not detained says Delhi Police
07:31 pm: Delhi Police on Friday dismissed claims that three boys carrying food for Jantar Mantar protesters were detained at Nizamuddin Police Station, labelling such allegations spreading on social media as “false and misleading”.
Police clarified that the boys were stopped only as part of routine picket and checkpoint duty to verify the identity of the occupants and ascertain their point of origin and destination.
Video-recording CJP protest in legitimate state interest: Tushar Mehta
07:29 pm: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Friday told the Delhi High Court that video-recording of the ongoing CJP-led protest against NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar here was in “legitimate state interest” and any objection to it was ironic.
Responding to a PIL by former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh against the Centre and the Delhi Police, alleging “continuous, indiscriminate and intrusive surveillance” at the Jantar Mantar protest, Mehta said even influencers and other people from social media were making videos and taking interviews at the site, and the CJP itself has asked the protestors to “videograph everything”.
Two special courts in Maharashtra to hear cases of malpractices in exams
07:27 pm: The Bombay High Court on Friday designated two special courts, one each in Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts in Maharashtra, to hear cases related to malpractices in public examinations, including the medical entrance test NEET.
As per official sources in the HC, the decision was pursuant to directives from the Centre to designate special courts for conducting trial of offences arising out of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act as well as the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at least in two major districts.
Action against constable for remarks at Jantar Mantar
07:23 pm: Uttarakhand Police have initiated legal and departmental action against suspended constable Sher Singh for allegedly making “inflammatory and irresponsible” statements during the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an official said on Friday.
Kumaon Range Inspector General of Police Nivedita Kukreti said Constable Sher Singh, posted in Pithoragarh district, had already been suspended on July 20 for prolonged unauthorised absence from duty and for failing to respond to a notice issued by the district’s Superintendent of Police.
Two metro stations open in Delhi
06:33 pm: Entry gates for Mandi House and Central Secretariat metro stations opened, while rest 15 remain closed.
Delhi HC moved against internet shutdown around Jantar Mantar
06:28 pm: Legal services organisation Software Freedom Law Center, India on Friday moved the Delhi High Court against the suspension of mobile internet services in parts of Central Delhi amid the ongoing CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar.
The counsel for the petitioner mentioned the PIL for urgent hearing before a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, which agreed to list it on Friday.
Infectious diseases amid large crowds compound difficulties at Jantar Mantar
06:25 pm: Amidst scorching heat, high humidity, and overcrowding, the risk of infectious diseases is looming over the Jantar Mantar protest site, with many protesters complaining of headaches and sore throats.
Volunteer doctors present at the site report that the overcrowding and open-air living conditions have left a large number of people grappling with viral infections, dehydration, and other health issues, compounding the difficulties for protesters.
Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL seeking NIA probe into CJP’s Parliament march
05:29 pm: The Delhi High Court refused to entertain a PIL seeking a probe by the NIA or any “specialised agency” into the Cockroach Janta Party-led march to Parliament on July 20. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia remarked while hearing the PIL by Satish Kumar Aggarwal, ex-vice president of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha.
The HC noted that under the law, it was for the Centre to refer any case to the National Investigation Agency for investigation, and not the court.
RAF launches probe into excessive force used by its personnel on students
05:26 pm: The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during the ongoing student protests in Delhi.
Amnesty International calls extra police powers amid protests an ‘affront to human rights’
05:15 pm: Amnesty International has said the Centre’s decision under the National Security Act to allow police to detain people without procedural guarantees is deeply concerning and an affront to human rights.
“This deeply concerning move is an affront to human rights that risks enflaming the situation in Delhi even further,” said Aakar Patel, Chair of the Board of Amnesty International India. “It grants the police a host of discretionary powers to detain people for entirely arbitrary reasons for up to 12 months.”
Patel said despite police claiming it was a routine measure, the organisation has seen “Indian police abuse these powers in the context of protests before, from the anti-CAA protests in 2020 to the 2026 workers’ protests in Noida.
Students at Jantar Mantar build ‘Wall of Shame’
04:52 pm: Students have built a “Wall of Shame” at Jantar Mantar protest site with pictures of Delhi Police personnel who were seen beating students on the July 20 Parliament march led by the Cockroach Janta Party.
Press body FPC condemns attacks on journalists
04:59 pm: The Federation of Press Clubs (FPC) has strongly condemned the alleged attacks on journalists and incidents of intimidation during the ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other parts of the country, describing them as a serious threat to press freedom and democratic values.
Authorities reject man’s claim he left Delhi Police in CJP support
04:49 pm: Videos surfaced on social media showing a man asserting he resigned from the Delhi Police as a constable in support of the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, a claim authorities rejected.
The Directorate General Home Guards, Delhi government, said the individual, identified as Ravi Kumar, is not a Delhi Police constable nor does he have any association with the authorities.
In a viral video, the individual claimed that he is a Delhi Police jawan holding a good position.
Indian Youth Congress protests against Centre
04:47 pm: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday staged a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over paper leaks and for police action against students during recent demonstrations.
Police action on student protesters in Delhi seemed like revenge: Raj Thackeray
04:41 pm: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray alleged that the Delhi police’s crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march seemed like an act of “revenge” rather than crowd control.
“One can understand if the police had resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse protesting students, but what was witnessed appeared like some kind of revenge,” he wrote.
Police clarifies on facial recognition system at Jantar Mantar
04:31 pm: Four facial recognition system (FRS) units have been installed around the protest site at Jantar Mantar to identify wanted criminals, absconders and historysheeters, police sources said on Friday.
The surveillance system is not for ordinary protesters but is meant to identify those with criminal antecedents who may try to “infiltrate the protest” and disturb law and order, they said.
However, on-site, students have shared another version of events. According to the student protesters, the facial recognition system has been live scanning any and all protesters at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police deny viral claim of miscarriage of pregnant cop
04:28 pm: Delhi Police dismissed a claim circulating on social media that a pregnant woman cop lost her unborn child after sustaining injuries during the Jantar Mantar protest as “completely false and misleading”.
Rahul shows pellet gun injuries of protester, says ‘stop assaulting our students’
04:16 pm: Dharmendra Pradhan is a “criminal education minister,” a symbol of the collapse of India’s education system and must be removed, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi demanded on Friday as he presented before the media a student protester who was allegedly shot with a pellet gun by security personnel during the July 20 protests.
Students rally in Kolkata seeking Pradhan’s resignation
04:00 pm: Left students’ organisations held a rally in Kolkata, demanding the resignation of Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
Delhi court dismisses bail plea of accused doctor in NEET paper leak case
04:00 pm: A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail plea of a doctor who is an accused in the NEET paper leak case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta rejected the bail plea of the accused paediatrician Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure.
Uttarakhand cop resigns in support of students
03:06 pm: An Uttarakhand constable, Sher Singh resigned from his official duties and handed his resignation letter directly to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke to support the students’ protest.
SC to hear 2 pleas alleging police brutality on July 27
02:58 pm: Supreme Court will hear on July 27 two separate pleas alleging police excessive force on students protesting against NEET paper leak on July 20.
Several educational institutions shut in Andhra over NEET protests
02:52 pm: Several educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh remained closed on Friday in response to a call from Left-affiliated student and youth organisations to shut down to protest against alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET.
Union Cabinet approves draft bill for stricter punishments in paper leak cases
02:53 pm: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill to ensure stricter punishments for paper leaks, hours after PM Modi made an announcement in this effect, official sources said.
Dipke accuses govt of ‘rewarding corruption’ with new Education Secretary appointment
Dipke said that the government, instead of ensuring accountability, is rewarding corruption, referring to the appointment of the new Education Secretary.
He said that the Education Secretary was transferred and replaced by an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, “who has severe multi-crore corruption charges against him.”
He said such a replacement was a “direct INSULT to young people across India.” He questioned if this was “compromise: the government expected the youth to accept. “This is not accountability. We will not stop until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”
Talks underway between CJP, govt
02:25 pm: A crucial meeting between the representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party and the government was underway at the Vithalbhai Patel House on Friday as part of efforts to find an amicable solution to the outfit’s demands related to exam irregularities.
18 metro stations closed in Delhi
02:25 pm: Eighteen metro stations were closed in Delhi on Friday, amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest near Jantar Mantar here, the DMRC said.
Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan stations have been closed.
This is the fourth consecutive day when multiple metro stations have remained closed in Delhi.
Sonam was assured no assault, lathi-charge, or legal Action Against Protesters
01:40 pm: Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said that he continued his fast until the governement provided assurances in writing late at night. “The written assurance stated that no FIRs would be filed, no undue force would be used against protesters, compensation would be provided to the families of students who died by suicide over the NEET issue, and Parliament would discuss educational reforms and examination-related concerns”
End of a hunger strike not the end of struggle: Shashi Tharoor says students deserve justice
01:37 pm: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that although he is relieved that Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast, it does not end the struggle as students deserve justice.
He said Wangchuk’s “extraordinary sacrifice” helped bring national attention to a crisis that should have never been ignored in the first place. “The fight for a fair, transparent and accountable education system continues. The students who have raised their voices deserve justice, not silence.”
Had extended fast by 2 days as negotiations were on: Wangchuk after ending hunger strike
01:13 pm: Sonam Wangchuk on Friday termed the end of his 26-day hunger strike the “beginning of accountability,” saying he decided to call off the fast only after receiving assurances from the government and MPs across parties on his key demands for examination reforms and protection of peaceful protests. He said he extended his fast by two days because negotiations with the Centre were ongoing.
SFI protests in Nottingham, UK
01:22 pm: Hundreds of students joined the Students Federation of India’s British division in Nottingham to support the students in India. SFI UK said the protest was widely supported by workers’ groups and community activists.
Tamil Nadu college students launch protests against NEET
01:20 pm: Tirunelveli college students in Tamil Nadu boycott classes and launch protest to support Delhi students’ protest against NEET; condemn action on protesters.
No talks until Pradhan resigns, PM apologises for police brutality: Rahul
01:07 pm: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that no discussion would be held with the government until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, taking accountability for exam paper leaks, and PM Modi apologises for the alleged police brutality against the protesting students in Delhi.
Will monitor steps taken to curb NEET paper leak, says SC
01:02 pm: Supreme Court said that it will monitor steps taken to curb NEET paper leak after the Centre submitted that some stringent measures were being taken.
“Centre willing to walk 10 extra miles to address problems faced by children,” said SG Tushar Mehta to SC.
Intelligent agencies warn of deepfake campaign targeting Army
12:56 pm: Amid the Cockroach Janta Party protests, intelligence agencies have sounded an alert over a possible large-scale disinformation campaign aimed at exploiting the unrest.
Hostile elements may use the situation to circulate fake and misleading content on social media in an attempt to provoke violence and deepen public unrest, according to the agencies. The broader objective, the intelligence agencies said, is to erode public confidence in key state institutions through a “sustained disinformation campaign.”
CJI Kant dismisses ‘completely false’ reports over Delhi Police brutality PIL
12:52 pm: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday denied that he refused to list a plea alleging police brutality on student protesters during the “Sansad Chalo” Parliament march on July 20.
“In the last two days, a completely false statement was made that a matter was filed, and the media is absolutely free from all responsibility, falsely reporting that the Chief Justice refused to list the matter. Till morning 10 am, not a single page has been filed. It was one representation… sent by that Mishra or someone. How can I treat the representation as a writ petition? And people start recklessly reporting this,” the CJI said.
Delhi HC to hear plea seeking criminal action against protesters
12:41 pm: The Delhi High Court will hear another plea at 2:30 on Friday regarding the CJP protests. The plea sought criminal action against anyone involved in attacking police officers and damaging public property.
JNU also asks students to refrain from visiting Jantar Mantar
12:36 pm: Jawaharlal Nehru University on Friday warned students from visiting Jantar Mantar. Like DU, the university “advised” all stakeholders of the JNU community to “act responsibly and prioritize their personal safety.”
“You are requested to refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar, New Delhi,” said JNU, citing SC directions on public demonstrations.
Delhi Police suspends leaves of all personnel over law and order concerns
12:28 pm: Delhi Police has cancelled all routine leaves of its personnel with immediate effect in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the capital, police sources said on Friday.
The order also imposed restrictions on police personnel attending training programmes or courses without prior approval from the commissioner of police.
Rahul Gandhi slams DU over its advisory
12:22 pm: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the varsity and asked how dare it “threaten” students for exercising their democratic rights.
Stay away from Jantar Mantar: Delhi University warns students, teachers
12:16 pm: University of Delhi and Jawaharlal National University on Thursday issued an advisory for students, warning them not to participate in the Jantar Mantar CJP protests, calling them “unlawful assemblies.”
“Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action,” DU wrote on X.
The university urged students to “stay away from Jantar Mantar” and prioritise their safety and compliance with law. It also advised students to exercise caution in consuming media as “a significant amount of fake and misleading content is being created to fuel the situation.”
Who is taking him seriously? Pawan Khera on PM
12:08 pm: Congress leader on the fifth day of Parliament monsoon session criticised PM Modi’s remarks on paper leaks and his video address, saying, “Who is taking him seriously?”
“Let him speak. He opens his mouth after 22-25 days and says strange things. Saab, desh ka naujawan sadko par kisi karan se hai, kuntaghrast hai. Iss tarah ke laffazi se aap unki kunta door nai hone wali hai. (Sir, the country’s youth is on the streets for some reason, with some grievance. This kind of rhetoric isn’t going to resolve their grievances).”
Abhijeet Dipke heads back to Jantar Mantar after ‘night of IVs, injections, blood tests’
12:03 pm: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said he is heading back to Jantar Mantar after “a night full of IVs, injections, and blood tests.”
He had previously fallen sick due to food poisoning and said he is still feeling weak physically due to fever. “But the fight is on,” Dipke wrote on X.
“Our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”
CJP launches website to upload footage of police brutality to ID officers
11:56 am: CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said, “We are launching a website where injured protesters and those who were assaulted by the police can upload pictures of the police personnel involved. We will file complaints against them and move the court if the Delhi Police does not register FIRs.”
Delhi Police’s surveillance vans at Jantar Mantar raise concerns
11:47 am: Delhi Police allegedly set up facial recognition vans to identify protesters at Jantar Mantar, according to a video shared by Cockroach Janta Party.
The outfit claimed that the authorities stationed the vans to “live-scan peaceful protesters.” The CJP questioned the legality, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling that said privacy is a Fundamental Right. “Mass-scanning citizens exercising their legal right to protest is unconstitutional,” the CJP said.
Very proud that Sonam ji got two of our demands approved: CJP
11:38 am: CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka expressed his gratitude to climate activist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk for securing the government’s approval of two of the organisation’s conditional demands. He said that CJP had been relentlessly appealing to the activist to end his hunger strike.
He clarified that written details about the agreement are yet to come and their agitation will continue until Pradhan resigns. “The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is the starting point of this hunger strike. We will not back down until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns,” Ranka said.
Left-affiliated students unions organise bandh in Telangana
11:35 am: Educational institutions observed bandh on Friday in Telangana following a call by Left-affiliated students unions to protest against the alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET.
AISF state secretary Putta Laxman told PTI that the shutdown, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and tough punishment to the guilty in the NEET-UG paper leak, is being observed successfully.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon as oppn refuses to relent
11:31 pm: The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Friday as an unrelenting opposition kept up its protests over the NEET paper leak and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
HC to hear PIL against internet shutdown around Jantar Mantar
11:03 pm: Delhi High Court on Friday will hear a PIL against internet shutdown around the Jantar Mantar protest site.
Follow on Twitter | Edited by Khadija Irfan Rahim | | 
