CJP protest highlights: Rahul Gandhi among MPs detained as opposition seeks justice for students
New Delhi: The student-led protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak, took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after Congress MPs, led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, staged a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.
The Congress leaders marched towards the Prime Minister's residence after visiting students who were injured during the police action against the CJP's July 20 Parliament march.
The national capital witnessed dramatic scenes as a heavy police contingent was deployed near Lok Kalyan Marg and detained several Opposition leaders. Visuals aired by television channels showed police personnel forcibly removing Rahul Gandhi from the protest site as they cleared the area near the Prime Minister's residence.
The action against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha triggered a political storm, with the Congress launching nationwide protests against the BJP-led government.
Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav were also detained. According to reports, they were released after nearly three hours.
Congress MP Hibi Eden alleged that several MPs, including women parliamentarians, sustained injuries when Delhi Police forcibly removed them from Lok Kalyan Marg.
According to reports, Rahul Gandhi suffered minor injuries below his eye, and on his hands and legs during the scuffle.The detentions came shortly after Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan met Rahul Gandhi and urged him to vacate the high-security area.
According to Singh, the Centre was prepared to discuss the NEET issue and related matters in Parliament and requested Gandhi to call off the protest. However, Gandhi continued the dharna, with Congress leaders raising slogans demanding Prime Minister Modi's resignation.
Later, Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of "backtracking" from his earlier demand for a parliamentary debate, alleging that he subsequently insisted on the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The minister also claimed that Gandhi was "in a mood for confrontation" and alleged that the Congress had come with the intention of creating conflict rather than facilitating discussion.
The Congress later announced nationwide protests over the detention of its leaders.
AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal said the party would continue its agitation until the BJP-led government accepted three key demands raised by Rahul Gandhi:
- The immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Withdrawal of all FIRs registered against students in connection with the July 20 Parliament march.
- A comprehensive discussion in Parliament on the alleged NEET paper leak.
Delhi Police release CJP activists
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janata Party announced that it was calling off its protest outside the Delhi Police headquarters after all students detained during the July 20 Parliament march were released on Tuesday.
Apart from Congress, Aam Aadmi Party also urged the police to withdraw the cases against the students. Several opposition leaders, including NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal visited the Cockroach Janta Party's protest site at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.
The Delhi police registered four FIRs in connection with the CJP's Chalo Sansad march on Monday. The cases were registered at Parliament Street, Connaught Place and other police stations, and invoke multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
According to the FIR, the accused persons allegedly formed an unlawful assembly, disrupted public order, obstructed government officials from discharging their duties, indulged in violence and caused damage to public property.
Another FIR has been registered against unidentified persons in connection with the violence, stone-pelting and vandalism of police vehicles near Regal Cinema at the Outer Circle of Connaught Place during the march, the source said.
During the violence, protesters allegedly pelted stones at police personnel and damaged several police vehicles deployed in the area, he said. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, drone visuals, mobile phone videos and other electronic evidence to identify those involved in the violence. They are also analysing social media content and other digital material as part of the probe, sources said.
The investigators claimed that the FIR related to the alleged conspiracy behind the violence was registered after they gathered several crucial pieces of evidence indicating planning behind the unrest, a police source said.
Wangchuk shifted to Medanta Hospital
In a separate development, Delhi Police shifted activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following directions from the Delhi High Court. The High Court ordered Wangchuk's discharge from Safdarjung Hospital and his admission to Medanta Hospital while hearing a plea filed by his wife, Gitanjali Angmo.
Key Updates
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Congress leaders released
The Delhi police released Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, after detaining them during the sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister's official residence in New Delhi's Lok Kalyan Marg. The leaders were under police custody for three hours. It is learnt that no case is registered against them.
#WATCH | Delhi: LoP Lok Sabha & Congress MP Rahul Gandhi leaves from Chhatrasal Stadium.
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026
Some of the opposition leaders, who were protesting at Lok Kalyan Marg and detained by Delhi Police, were brought to Chhatrasal Stadiuma short while ago. pic.twitter.com/1phdnpjK54 -
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Modi Govt's anti-democratic face exposed now, says KC Venugopal
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal told the media that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government showed their brutality again by deploying the Delhi police to crush the Congress protest outside the Prime Minister's residence. He alleged that Modi government's anti-democratic face is completely exposed now. Talking about the meeting with Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, he said that the minister wanted the Congress to serve a notice seeking discussions on the NEET paper leak. He added that the party already served two notices on Monday and Tuesday. He declared that Congress would not withdraw from the protest unless the government meets three demands put forward by Rahul Gandhi: 1) Education Minister Dharmendra Pradesh should resign
2) All FIRs against students over the Parliament march must be withdrawn immediately 3)There should be concrete discussions on the NEET exam paper leak
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Protests continue in Mumbai in support of CJP; Raj Thackeray slams govt on crackdown on Delhi stir
Demonstrations continued across Mumbai for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, with Opposition parties and civic groups gathering in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which was demanding resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recent examination irregularities.
In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena organised a protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar, attended by key party figures, including Sharmila Thackeray, wife of MNS president Raj Thackeray.
Among the participants was a 78-year-old retired doctor and former lecturer who traveled from Nivali in Akola district to attend the Dadar gathering.
"I wish I were younger to participate in this protest more actively, and if I die, my children shouldn't claim my body and bury me here," he said, adding that he made the journey despite his advancing age to support students fighting for a clean education system.
"I want to stand in support of the demand for better doctors who serve people," the elderly man said.
Raj Thackeray strongly criticised the Centre over the police action in Delhi on Monday and in a post on social media platform X, alleged that the BJP-led government appeared "mentally unstable" in its handling of the student-led demonstrations.
"After witnessing the brutal lathi-charge against protesters yesterday, it appears the government itself has become mentally unstable and needs to be hospitalised," the MNS leader said.
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Congress leaders, including women, injured; Delhi police have been ruthless: MP Hibi Eden
Congress MP Hibi Eden raised sharp criticism against Delhi police for forcibly removing the party's parliamentarians who were staging a peaceful sit-in protest outside Prime Minsiter's official residence in Lok Kalyan Marg. He said that several leaders, including women were injured.
“We were protesting peacefully. Our demand is to sack minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Unfortunately, the Delhi Police, which is controlled by the Indian government, has arrested. Even women parliamentarians were injured. This has been a ruthless, provocative action from the Police. The Deputy Commissioner and a bunch of 'gundas' have been forcefully removing us,” he said.
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All protesters detained during parliament march released: CJP
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das announced that all protesters detained during the parliament march on July 20 were released on Tuesday. Following this development, the association called off the sit-in protest outside Delhi Police Headquarters.
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Wangchuk shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta in Gurugram after Delhi HC order
Activist Sonam Wangchuk was discharged from the Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday evening and shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for further treatment in compliance with a Delhi High Court order, Safdarjung Hospital authorities said.
The Delhi High Court ordered immediate shifting of Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities, from the Safdarjung Hospital here to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
"Sonam Wangchuk has been discharged from VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital today at 06:40 pm and has been handed over to the team of doctors from Medanta Hospital, Gurugram for further medical care as per the order dated 21.07.2026 of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi," a statement from the Safdarjung Hospital said.
"At the time of discharge, his vital parameters were stable. However, pancytopenia persists, and his serum potassium level was 3.4 mEq/L.
"Copies of all relevant medical records, investigation reports, and treatment documents have been handed over to the receiving medical team to ensure continuity of care," the statement said.
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Congress intensifies protest across India
The Indian National Congress workers staged protest in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and various parts of the country condemning the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other leaders. The Lok Sabha opposition leader and others were detained while protesting outside Prime Minister's official residence in New Delhi seeking resignation of the PM, Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
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Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders detained from protest site near PM's residence
Delhi police detained Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, KC Venugopal and several other leaders while staging a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official residence. As per reports, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was pushed into a bus.
#WATCH | Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protesting with opposition leaders and workers at Lok Kalyan Marg, detained by Delhi Police. pic.twitter.com/EacXvozjH0
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026 -
Police try to forcibly remove Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders
Police swooped down on Congress protest site outside PM's residence and tried to forcibly remove Rahul Gandhi and other leaders.
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'You forced Modi to yield': Kejriwal tells CJP protesters, assures legal and medical aid
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal reached the Jantar Mantar protest site on Tuesday and expressed solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, claiming that they forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to yield.
Addressing the supporters, the former Delhi chief minister also assured full legal aid to the protesters who were detained during their ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest on Monday.
He was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Atishi.
"I think not only Dharmendra Pradhan, but PM Modi should also resign. Modi hatao desh bachao (remove Modi, save nation), the entire world saw how you forced Modi to yield before you. Till the time our demands are met, this struggle will continue," Kejriwal said.
"Do not be afraid. If need be, the biggest lawyers will be deployed for your legal aid. Continue your struggle. We are with you. Modi had also sent me to jail, but now I am released," Kejriwal told the protesters.
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The voice of India's students cannot be ignored, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi urged the citizens to join dharna outside Prime Minister residence declaring support to the students' protest led by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak.
छात्रों पर हमला हर भारतीय परिवार पर हमला है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 21, 2026
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी को लगता है कि वो बिना जवाब दिए, बिना किसी नतीजे का सामना किए बच निकलेंगे - नहीं कर पाएंगे, इस बार तो बिल्कुल नहीं।
मैं हर उस देशभक्त भारतीय से अपील करता हूं जो मानता है कि हमारे छात्रों को न्याय मिलना चाहिए -… -
Govt wasted our time: Dipke on talks between Nadda, CJP team
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the government's design behind starting talks with his outfit, saying it was engaging in dialogue with CJP while simultaneously carrying out a police crackdown on protesters.
"The government wasted our time. They invited our delegation. They seized their mobiles. Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were, in a way, under house arrest at J P Nadda's residence," Dipke said addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, where the protest over the NEET paper leak issue entered its 32nd day.
"The whole plan was to scatter the team, so that when there is chaos, no one is there. That is why they kept them sitting for five hours and wasted our time. You call for talks on one hand, and unleash batons on students on the other hand," he alleged. - PTI
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Kejriwal seeks release of FIR, detainee lists
Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to DCP, New Delhi, seeking immediate release of the lists of FIRs and detained protesters following the CJP protest.
Kejriwal also visited the Parliament Street police station and reiterated the demands before Delhi Police.
Kejriwal demanded that the lists of FIRs and detained protesters be made public immediately so that legal assistance could be provided to those affected.- PTI
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Union Minister Jitendra Singh reaches protest site, holds talks with Rahul Gandhi
Union Minister Jitendra Singh has reached the protest site and is holding discussions with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi amid the ongoing students' agitation. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is also present at the venue as efforts are underway to initiate dialogue and ease tensions.
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Police remove Opposition MPs
Police have forcefully removed several MPs from the protest site as they continued their demonstration over the students' agitation.
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Kerala Minister P C Vishnunath and other Congress MPs detained by police
Kerala Minister for Tourism P C Vishnunath and other Congress MPs have been detained by the Delhi Police after they staged a sit-in protest infront of PM's residence against the alleged irregularities in NEET.
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Kerala CM V D Satheesan joins protest outside PM's residence
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan joined the Opposition protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence in support of the students' agitation. Police attempted to remove the protesting MPs as they staged a sit-in demanding the Prime Minister's resignation over the handling of the protests.
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Rahul Gandhi joins students' protest, Congress MPs march towards PM's residence
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi visited Jantar Mantar to join the students' protest over the alleged examination irregularities. He later marched with Congress MPs towards the Prime Minister's residence and staged a sit-in protest, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation over the handling of the students' agitation.
We have marched to PM Modi’s house to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 21, 2026
The Government doesn’t want to take any accountability or does it want to have a debate on it in Parliament.
PM and HM must resign for destroying the future of… pic.twitter.com/gnU3ZkRKDx -
Left MPs back CJP protesters, seek Amit Shah's statement in Parliament
A delegation of Left MPs visited Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with students protesting over alleged education sector irregularities. The delegation included CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MPs John Brittas, A A Rahim and V Sivadasan, CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar, and CPI(M) Lok Sabha MPs Amra Ram and S Venkatesan, among others.They demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in Parliament on the police action during Monday's CJP protest and called for accountability over the injuries sustained by protesters.-PTI
Cockroach Janata Party supporters gather during a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.Photo:PTI -
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Rahul, Priyanka visit injured students at RML Hospital
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met students injured during Monday's CJP protest at Delhi's RML Hospital and expressed solidarity with them. They also met the mother of a young woman protester on ventilator support, while the Congress renewed its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak issue.-PTI
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Bawankule calls CJP protest 'drama', alleges political conspiracy
Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule termed the CJP's anti-NEET protest a "nautanki", alleging it was aimed at defaming the Centre and fuelling anger among youth. He defended Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for a probe into alleged stone-pelting during the protest.-PTI
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Sonam Wangchuk to be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital: Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court has ordered the immediate shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
-PTI
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Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid Opposition protest over action against students
Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day following repeated disruptions by Opposition members protesting the police action against students demonstrating over the alleged NEET paper leak. The House witnessed multiple adjournments as MPs raised slogans demanding a discussion on the issue.-PTI
Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan walks out after adjourning the House during the Monsoon session of Parliament. -
Shiv sena (UBT) calls CJP protests 'the beginning of revolution',targets centre
Shiv Sena (UBT) has backed the Cockroach Janta Party's protest, calling it the "beginning of a revolution" and accusing the Centre of protecting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan despite allegations of exam irregularities. In an editorial published in Saamana, the party also launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government's handling of the protests.-PTI
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Delhi HC proposes shifting Sonam Wangchuk to Medanta Hospital
The Delhi High Court proposed shifting activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast since June 28 over alleged examination irregularities, from Safdarjung Hospital here to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.
A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia was hearing a plea by the activist's wife, Gitanjali Angmo, against a Sunday order of the high court refusing to interfere with his ongoing treatment at the central government hospital.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government had no objection to Wangchuk being shifted to Medanta Hospital.- PTI
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Young woman injured during CJP protest on ventilator at RML Hospital
A young woman injured in the police action during the CJP protest is on ventilator support at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, sources said.
The woman sustained injuries on Monday.
"A young woman injured in police action during CJP protest is on ventilator in RML," the sources said without providing further details.- PTI
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Nadda visits Delhi hospitals, reviews treatment of injured CJP protesters
Union Health Minister J P Nadda visited RML and Lady Hardinge hospitals to review the condition of students injured during the CJP's "Chalo Sansad" protest. Hospital authorities said the injured protesters are under medical supervision and receiving necessary treatment.-PTI
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PM Modi,Amit Shah must apologise and resign over police action on students:Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah apologise and resign over the police action against student protesters. He also urged Parliament to discuss the issue, alleging that students were subjected to excessive force.-PTI
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the Monsoon session of Parliament.Photo:PTI/Shahbaz Khan -
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AAP launches helpline for legal, medical aid to CJP protesters: Kejriwal
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has announced a helpline (8588833548) to provide legal and medical assistance to CJP protesters. He accused the Centre of using excessive force against students and demanded details of all detentions and FIRs linked to the protest.-PTI
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Delhi HC refuses urgent hearing on plea over police action against CJP protesters
The Delhi High Court has declined to urgently hear a petition alleging police brutality during the CJP's "Chalo Sansad" protest. The court said the matter will be taken up on Wednesday, even as the petitioner alleged excessive force against student protesters. - PTI
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CJP protest: Delhi Police registers 4 FIRs, more cases likely
Delhi Police has registered four FIRs so far and is in the process of filing two more in connection with violence, vandalism and other incidents.
One FIR was lodged in connection with the violence and stone-pelting near Regal Cinema at Connaught Place, while separate cases relate to unlawful assembly, unauthorised flying of a drone during the Parliament session and an alleged conspiracy behind the violence, a police source said.
Two more FIRs are being prepared in connection with assault, taking the law into one's own hands and other related offences, he said.- PTI
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AIIMS docs seek Prez inquiry into events at Jantar Mantar
The Resident Doctors' Association of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, on Tuesday appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to order an independent, time-bound inquiry into the events at Jantar Mantar a day ago.
The RDA also raised concerns over reports that activist Sonam Wangchuk was not allowed to leave Safdarjung Hospital despite seeking a Leave Against Medical Advice (LAMA), saying that such claims, if accurate, raised questions about patients' autonomy and rights.- PTI
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Riteish Deshmukh, Genelia back students' protest
Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia have expressed solidarity with students protesting over alleged NEET irregularities, saying their voices deserve to be heard "without fear". The couple urged people to "listen, support and empower" the youth, calling them the architects of India's future.
We stand in solidarity with the youth of our country.
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) July 20, 2026
Their voices deserve to be heard — loud, clear, and without fear. They are the heartbeat of our democracy and the true architects of our nation’s future.
Let us listen, support, and empower them. The energy, courage, and… -
Diljit Dosanjh supports the protest, urges authorities to hear their demands
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has voiced support for students protesting over alleged NEET irregularities, urging authorities to listen to their demands instead of using force. In an Instagram post, he said students should not have been treated harshly and recalled facing backlash after supporting the farmers' protest in 2020.-PTI
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Sonam Wangchuk's condition stable, continues hunger strike
Sonam Wangchuk's vital parameters remain stable , according to Safdarjung hospital. His blood sugar remains low and doctors continue to monitor him closely. He has refused intravenous fluids and glucose despite repeated medical advice and is continuing his indefinite hunger strike.- PTI
Wangchuk has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 17 days. -
Abhijeet Dipke apologises to CJP supporters
CJP president Abhijeet Dipke apologised to the supporters of the CJP who were beaten by police officers.
I apologise to all our supporters, especially the girls who were brutally beaten by male police officers.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 21, 2026
We could have done better. I could have done better to protect you from the inhumane actions of the Delhi Police.
To protect one Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for… -
CJP alleges police excesses after crackdown
CJP accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters during its "Sansad Chalo" march, alleging that several students were injured and Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, was pushed around, as the outfit continued its protest with a sit-in near Kerala House, after police dismantled the stage at Jantar Mantar.- PTI
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70 protesters detained
More than 118 police personnel, including several senior officers, were injured and around 70 protesters were detained on Monday.
Delhi Police released a statement mentioning these figures and their account, accusing protesters of displaying "unruly, aggressive and violent behaviour" during the protest and attacking security personnel, damaging government vehicles and public property.- PTI
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Nadda assures CJP that govt will consider its demands
According to the CJP, the assurance came after its spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das met Nadda, who acted as a government emissary, twice within two hours at the minister's residence and submitted a memorandum citing their demands, including the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. - PTI
Tiger Shroff car firing case reveals alleged weapons supply network using ‘dead letter box’
Sources said two accused collected firearms from a pre-arranged location in Amritsar before they were allegedly transported to Mumbai.
India to estimate population of all four bear species, with results expected in five years
The Wildlife Institute of India will begin with a study of human-sloth bear conflict in protected areas, while proposals for estimating Himalayan brown, Asiatic black and sun bear populations are also planned.
SMA medicines: Keralam minister defends use of low-cost Indian-made medicines
"The matter needs to be examined immediately as it is a question about the lives of kids," said Health Minister K K Shailaja.