CJP Firm On Pradhan's Resignation, Centre Seeks Time Till Tomorrow; Food Delivery Platforms Asked To Regulate Ops Near Jantar Mantar

Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar, Coackroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke said, "Look, I am not the Prime Minister. How am I going to restart the metro? If things happened just by me speaking, he (Education Minister) would have resigned by now. You will have to build that pressure. All of you need to build that pressure on them. But just look at what they are doing. First, they barricaded Jantar Mantar from all sides and turned it into a virtual open-air prison. As if that wasn't enough, they installed jammers at Jantar Mantar. Still not satisfied, they shut down 16 metro stations. And when even that wasn't enough, they forced all the shops in Connaught Place to close down. Just to protect one man, Dharmendra Pradhan"

The Delhi Police on Friday constituted a special Special Task Force (STF) within the Crime Branch to investigate paper leaks and examination-related offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory, asking app-based transport, food delivery, quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms to regulate their services in areas where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, are in force.

The Delhi Police have advised app-based mobility, ride-hailing, food delivery, logistics and e-commerce platforms o regulate operations for the duration of the prohibitory orders. 

Following widespread controversy over the NEET-UG paper leak, the Centre has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is set to be carried out over the next month. Based on the recommendations of an expert committee, the overhaul aims to establish a robust, leak-proof examination system.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has terminated 47 officials from their service. Some of these officials will face legal and criminal actions, news agency ANI reported. 

Speaking at the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra said, "The first day we came here, we told you that no politician could fight this battle because it is your battle, and only you can fight it. And you showed everyone that you could."

"Sonam Wangchuk is being treated by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors at Medanta Hospital Gurugram. He has broken his fast and is presently being fed liquid diet as per the requirements. He continues to be stable and alert, with vital signs within accepted parameters. He remains under continuous observation and his clinical parameters are being monitored," Medanta Hospital said in a statement.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday announced plans to launch website to gather photographs and videos from protesters to identify police personnel allegedly involved in the July 20 crackdown on students and seek legal action against them. 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said that the entry gates for Mandi House and Central Secretariat metro stations are now open. 

Visuals shared by PTI show students staging protest near Hyderabad's Charminar over NEET paper leak and alleged police lathi charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar.

The Delhi Police have deployed four facial recognition system (FRS) units around the Jantar Mantar protest site to identify wanted criminals, absconders and history-sheeters, news agency PTI quoted police sources as saying. 

Following a high-level meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, Cockroach Janata Party national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated that the government granted in-principle approval to provide compensation to the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, withdraw all existing FIRs against protesting students, and guarantee that no further legal action will be taken against them. 

He further said that the Centre has sought time until tomorrow regarding their demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's removal. 

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear petitions alleging excessive police action against student protesters on July 20. The top court has listed the matter for hearing on Monday.

LOP Rahul Gandhi condemned Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, calling him a "criminal" and a symbol of the education system's collapse. He demanded Pradhan's removal, echoing the students' calls. 

Union Minister JP Nadda stated that after a nearly two-hour meeting with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the group presented three main demands and five exam reform suggestions. 

The Cockroach Janta Party said the government asked for time to consider their demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and has approved compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs against students.

Amid student protests over paper leaks, the Centre is reportedly planning a stricter anti-paper leak law with tougher punishments. The proposed provisions include up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for individuals, and penalties of up to Rs 10 crore for groups of accused involved in paper leak cases.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned until Monday after repeated disruptions over the Opposition's demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

The Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings during the Monsoon Session and took up the Vande Mataram Bill for discussion. 

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that Sonam Wangchuk was kept detained and claimed that while BJP president JP Nadda was able to meet him, Opposition MPs and others were not allowed access. Dipke welcomed Wangchuk’s decision to end his hunger strike but said CJP would continue protest until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Centre-CJP talks have begun as the delegation holds firm on its demand for Pradhan’s resignation. The CJP spokesperson said there will be “no compromise” on the issue as talks began.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das on Friday confirmed that a delegation will meet government representatives for crucial discussions at the Constitution Club of India, adding that some issues remain non-negotiable. Das asserted that the scheduled dialogue was confirmed after a two-day review period, emphasising that senior BJP leaders JP Nadda and Bhupendra Singh will engage with the delegation to address core grievances in the meeting.

"The delegation has been invited for talks with the government at 12:30 PM. JP Nadda and Bhupendra Singh will be present. They will convey the government's stance and address the demands, though some issues remain non-negotiable. The meeting will not take place at their offices. If they are reluctant to visit Jantar Mantar, perhaps out of apprehension, it could be held at the Constitution Club of India. They took two days to consider the matter and confirmed last night that the meeting would take place at the Constitution Club," he said while addressing a press conference.

Cockroach Janta Party's Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das and its National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka leave Jantar Mantar. They are scheduled to meet Union Ministers shortly.

The meeting between the CJP leadership and the Centre is scheduled to take place at around 12:30 pm. However, there has been no update on the meet till now. 

Union minister Kiren Rijiju has assured opposition that government is ready to discuss NEET paper leak issue amid the massive uproar in the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm amid ruckus In Parliament.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh says, "I have said this earlier too that the Opposition's conduct is highly irresponsible. Opposition had demanded a discussion and Govt is ready for all kinds of discussions. But now they do not want a discussion but want to cause ruckus in the House. Parliament exists to discuss matters of the country. So, have a discussion. Who is stopping you? You present your side, Govt will present theirs. But they will be exposed. What PM has decided, he has said that nobody will have the permission to play with the future of students and stringent action will be taken, he has spoken of a fast track court...If a crime is done, action is taken too. Govt is ready to take action..."

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12pm after brief resumption amid ruckus over the NEET paper leak and the ongoing protest, demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

Congress and Opposition MPs in Parliament protest against PM Modi and demand that he remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, "We want to make it very clear that until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, the protest at Jantar Mantar will continue. At 1230 am, the PM had to release a video, which means the pressure is high. The PM said that he will take very strict action. The strictest action can only be removing Dharmendra Pradhan; then we will believe you are serious about the youth of India. At 1230 pm, there is a meeting with JP Nadda ji in CCI. Before that, we will hold a press conference at 11 am."

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are scheduled to take up key legislative business on Friday during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, with several important Bills listed for consideration, passing and introduction.

If the first four days are any indication, monsoon session of Parliament is staring at a washout, with the opposition digging in its heels over its demand for resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, rebuffing invitations from govt for a discussion.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said when Parliament is in session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be making a statement on the paper leaks issue on the floor of the House and not delivering a "one-sided Mann Ki Baat".