Video posted by Mumbai Congress shows a policeman threatening a group of students with a false drug case if they turn up at the protests again.

The DMRC has also shut the Jhandewalan metro station "till further instructions," making it the 17th station to be shut today.

Service Update
Jhandewalan metro station has been closed till further instructions.

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) July 23, 2026

Mumbai police use digital tracking and home visits to prevent repeat participation in student protests.

The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Friday a public interest litigation seeking a probe into the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar. 

The counsel for the petitioner mentioned the PIL before a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia and requested that the case be listed on Friday.

"This is against the so-called student agitation. They have made the entire Delhi hostage. Roads have been blocked. Citizens of Delhi are suffering," lawyer Barun Kumar Sinha submitted.

"Alright. Tomorrow," Chief Justice Upadhyaya said.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has spoken on the CJP protests, explaining why the current issue concerns not just students, but everyone in the country.

"I have never considered myself a political person. But I do believe that some issues belong to all of us, regardless of where we stand. Education is one of them. The measure of a nation is found not only in its economy or its achievements, but in the opportunities it creates for its young people," he wrote on X.

"An education system that inspires confidence, rewards merit and nurtures curiosity is one of a nation's greatest strengths. I hope we can all unite and work together to continually strengthen our education system, so that it remains a source of opportunity, innovation and hope for generations to come," Bindra added.

I have never considered myself a political person. But I do believe that some issues belong to all of us, regardless of where we stand. Education is one of them.
The measure of a nation is found not only in its economy or its achievements, but in the opportunities it creates for…

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) July 23, 2026

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has taken note of the plea that several metro stations have been closed in Delhi, making it difficult for lawyers and litigants to come to court, and said he will intervene if the matter is not resolved by lunchtime.

Prohibitory orders have come into effect across Mumbai until August 6, restricting the movement and unlawful assembly of five or more persons in view of recent demonstrations held in parts of the city in support of the CJP movement at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The police have registered eight FIRs against nearly 900 persons for participating in demonstrations organised in solidarity with the CJP campaign over the NEET paper leak issue.

Fresh clashes broke out between protesters and security personnel at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday night, with the police resorting to a cane charge and firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Police said at least six personnel, including two ACP-rank officers, were injured in the violence.

Videos from the protest site released by the police showed chaotic scenes, with protesters allegedly pelting stones and clashing with police personnel. Internet jammers were later activated in the area amid heightened security arrangements.

🔴#BREAKING | Altercation between protesters and Delhi police last night at Jantar Mantar; Delhi police alleges violence on personnel
NDTV's @anushkagarg2000 joins @ParmeshwarBawa with more details pic.twitter.com/mvTWzgANl7

— NDTV (@ndtv) July 23, 2026

The woman was seen standing in front of a police van and refusing to move during student protests in Mumbai.

Sandeep Lamba, an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, was seen slapping a female CJP protester on July 20.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has responded to PM Modi's remarks that the welfare and interest of the country's youth are the top priority of the government and anyone trying to harm their future will not be spared.

"You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most. You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it," Gandhi, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, wrote on X.

"The students’ demands are clear: 1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan. 2. Apologise to the students. 3. Take action against those who assaulted them," he added.

You are the one who has harmed the future of our youth the most.
You allowed and encouraged the total capture and destruction of our education system - and protected every person responsible for it.
The students’ demands are clear:
1. Sack Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. Apologise to… https://t.co/0MK4wPMNiK

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 23, 2026

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has backed the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in .

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, he praised the students for participating in the protest "peacefully" and called them "courageous and brave".

Sharing an old grainy picture of himself from his school days, the 60-year-old actor said "paper leak is a very serious issue".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the central government has decided to set up fast-track courts to "ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks". 

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," he posted on X this morning.

"Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he added.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he would end his indefinite hunger strike if the Centre assures him that no force would be used against the protesting students and no FIRs or other punitive action would be taken against them.

In a video message from Gurugram's Medanta Hospital on Wednesday, Wangchuk asserted that even though he has lost around 11 kg during the fast, he wants to return to his work.

"I am still alive. This is the 25th day of my fast. I have lost around 11 kg of weight. I have lost muscles. But I am alright," he said.

"I want to start my work, but I request the government not to use force again on students and do not file any charges or FIRs. I need an assurance for that. If I get that assurance, I will break my fast today. If no assurance comes, I will be forced to continue it," he said.

Wangchuk said he has decided to continue his fast after the police action on protesters during Monday's "Chalo Sansad" march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

"Because the attack was brutal, I decided to continue my fast. I want to appreciate all the students who received batons but did not attack, even though they were provoked and people were brought to do stone pelting," he said.

He said several political leaders, including Union ministers and 65 MPs, have urged him to end his fast.

ABHI BHI ZINDA HUN.... DAY 25 pic.twitter.com/SnwKXMfvOO

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 22, 2026

"I want a better future," said 13-year-old Umasa of Delhi's Daryaganj, who was participating in the Coackroach Janta Party's protest at Jantar Mantar. She arrived at the site with her father, Salim, and friend Rahisa, holding the Indian tricolour, and joined thousands of young people seeking accountability from the government over question paper leaks.

Asked why she came to protest, Umasa said: "I have come here for a better future".

Referring to paper leaks, she told NDTV that she doesn't want to face the uncertainty that aspirants of entrance exams whose papers leaked faced.

Sixteen Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO and Khan Market, were closed this morning till further instructions due to security reasons, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.

"Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium metro stations have been closed till further instructions," the DMRC said in a post on X.

However, the interchange facility will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat metro stations.

Service Update
Below mentioned Metro stations will be closed from 07:30 AM till further instructions. However, Interchange facility shall remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
1. Lok Kalyan Marg
2. Rajiv Chowk
3. Patel Chowk
4. Ramakrishna…

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) July 23, 2026

The protesters are demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG 2026, reforms in the education system, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Thursday.