International Desk

India's capital, New Delhi, witnessed an unprecedented student protest as thousands of students and young people marched from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament, challenging one of the city's tightest security cordons. Despite multiple barricades, the deployment of nearly 3,000 security personnel, and the suspension of internet services, protesters broke through police barriers and reached within 100 meters of the Parliament complex. Police later fired tear gas shells and used batons to disperse the crowd.

The protest was organized by the online youth group Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which called for a march to Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a thorough investigation into the alleged NEET examination paper leak. Thousands of students, job seekers, and young people from several Indian states joined the demonstration.

The movement gained further momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had begun a 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was removed by police on July 18. His removal triggered widespread solidarity, drawing more protesters to the capital.

According to The Hindu, the largely leaderless procession moved from Jantar Mantar through Raisina Marg toward Parliament with little resistance initially. Security forces later blocked the route by placing buses across the road. When protesters breached the barricades, police responded with tear gas and baton charges, leaving several protesters and police personnel injured.

As tensions escalated, the central government initiated talks with the protesters. After an initial attempt through the district administration was rejected, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda met a delegation of CJP representatives. He described the discussions as cordial and confirmed that the protesters had submitted their demands in writing. The government urged them to withdraw their sit-in protest.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of the NDA government, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, held a series of meetings inside Parliament. Although no official statement was released, the discussions were widely believed to focus on the NEET paper leak controversy and the ongoing demonstrations.

A government official said security forces had initially been instructed to avoid using force. However, after protesters broke through barricades and advanced toward Parliament, police resorted to tear gas and baton charges to regain control. The official also claimed that supporters of several political parties had joined the demonstration and that many participants had traveled from outside Delhi, particularly from Rajasthan.

Nitish, a job seeker from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, said, "The government must be held accountable for the paper leak. After we crossed the first barricade, we simply kept walking because no one stopped us."

What began as a protest over the alleged NEET paper leak has now evolved into one of India's largest student demonstrations in recent years, significantly increasing political pressure on the central government.