Leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) have again declined an invitation from Indian Union Minister J. P. Nadda to hold discussions at his residence regarding the ongoing protest over the NEET question paper leak. The party stated that any dialogue with the government must take place at a neutral location rather than a minister’s home or office. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the protest site at Jantar Mantar represents the people’s court and that ministers should come there if they wish to talk.

The CJP emphasized that it remains open to discussions and is willing to consider a neutral venue near Jantar Mantar if there are security concerns. The refusal marks the second consecutive day the group has rejected the government’s proposal for talks at Nadda’s residence.

The protest continues at Jantar Mantar as the CJP maintains its demand for transparency and accountability in the NEET paper leak issue, while the government seeks to initiate dialogue under controlled conditions.

Indian police have launched a large-scale crackdown across Kashmir following the killing of a police officer. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained in the operation, which authorities say aims to dismantle networks supporting terrorism, ensure public safety, and maintain law and order. The move comes after officer Ashiq Hussain Qureshi was shot dead by militants on Wednesday afternoon in a busy market area of Anantnag.

According to police, simultaneous raids were carried out in several districts based on intelligence inputs. Around 700 people were detained in Srinagar, 200 in Budgam, 178 in Baramulla, and 100 in Ganderbal. Officials stated that those detained are being interrogated and their identities verified. Legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in the incident or related activities.

The police operation reflects heightened security measures in the region following the attack, with authorities emphasizing the need to prevent further violence and restore stability.

Police in Mumbai have intensified surveillance and preventive measures to contain protests supported by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). Officers have reportedly visited the homes of students involved in the demonstrations, sending messages and calls to warn them. Allegations have also surfaced that protesters were asked to share their live locations via WhatsApp. Police have been deployed at major metro stations and railway entrances to identify and turn back suspected protesters. Records of previously detained individuals have been circulated among police stations to facilitate quick identification during street checks.

Authorities claim these actions are intended to prevent criminal cases against young people and protect their educational and employment prospects. However, lawyers and rights activists argue that such surveillance and home visits violate privacy and constitutional rights. Meanwhile, protests in Mumbai continue for the third consecutive day in solidarity with the CJP-led student movement in Delhi.

In Delhi, demonstrators at Jantar Mantar are demanding investigations into exam irregularities, education reforms, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a fast-track court to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in the recent leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper. Modi stated on social media platform X that protecting students’ futures is the government’s top priority and that no one responsible for harming young people’s prospects will be spared.

In response, Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition head Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, alleging that over 150 question paper leaks have occurred in the past decade without any punishment. He reiterated his demands for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, an apology to students, and action against those responsible for attacks on protesting students.

The exchange highlights growing political tension over recurring exam scandals in India, with both government and opposition emphasizing accountability and student welfare.

A young woman named Riya Yadav drew national attention in Mumbai on Wednesday during ongoing protests demanding the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Near Shivaji Park in Dadar, she stood in front of a police van carrying detained demonstrators, blocking its path despite heavy rain. A viral video showed her refusing police requests to move, and local media reported that some detainees were released afterward.

Riya told reporters that if police fail to act responsibly, citizens must take responsibility themselves. Although not a student, she expressed full support for the student-led movement, calling police actions in Delhi unacceptable. Her stance earned widespread praise on social media, where many hailed her as a hero. According to her Instagram profile, Riya is an actress, model, and entrepreneur with about 100,000 followers.

The Mumbai protests, held for a third consecutive day, expressed solidarity with the student movement led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in Delhi. Demonstrators condemned exam irregularities and police crackdowns, gathering across several city areas despite restrictions.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has voiced support for students protesting in India over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak, while expressing deep sorrow that the initially peaceful demonstrations have turned violent. In an emotional Instagram post, he called the leak a very serious issue and conveyed sympathy for affected students and their families.

Khan urged that the movement remain centered on students’ rights and educational reform rather than political motives. His comments came as thousands of students continued protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar under the banner of the CJP (Cockroach Janata Party), demanding an investigation into the leak, examination reforms, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Education reformer Sonam Wangchuk had begun an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity but was hospitalized due to health deterioration, after which CJP founder Abhijit Deep continued the fast.

Khan expressed hope that the protests would return to a peaceful path and praised students’ unity and awareness as inspiring in their pursuit of a stronger education system.

Mass protests are underway across India demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations related to the NEET-UG question paper leak. Before becoming a minister, Pradhan was a prominent student leader who first gained attention in 1997 for leading protests in Odisha against exam paper leaks when Congress leader Janaki Ballabh Patnaik was the state’s chief minister.

According to a 2021 report by The New Indian Express, Pradhan, then a leader of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), led around 1,500 students in Bhubaneswar to protest the leak. During the demonstration, police baton-charged the crowd, leaving Pradhan seriously injured. His activism during that period helped him later establish a strong position within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He became Union Education Minister in 2021 after previously holding portfolios in Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Skill Development.

The 1997 protest has resurfaced in public discussion amid the current NEET-UG controversy. While opposition parties are calling for Pradhan’s resignation, the government has stated it is ready to discuss the issue in Parliament.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the welfare and bright future of the country's youth remain the Modi government's highest priority and commitment. In a message posted on social media platform X, he said the decision to establish fast-track courts for quick trials and strict action against those involved in exam paper leaks reflects this commitment.

Shah added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to act against those destroying the future of young people through question leaks would be a milestone. Earlier, on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi also emphasized that protecting the welfare and future of the youth is his government’s top priority, warning that no one attempting to harm young people’s prospects would be spared.

The statements highlight the government’s focus on addressing exam-related misconduct and ensuring accountability to safeguard the interests of students across India.

Indian actress Ayesha Khan was detained by police on Wednesday while participating in a protest in Mumbai’s Dadar area. The demonstration was part of a wider movement demanding the resignation of the education minister over a question paper leak scandal. Police took Khan into custody from the protest site and released her after questioning at the station.

In a video shared on social media, the actress from the film “Dhuran­dhar” said she was standing peacefully near the protest when she was detained. She claimed she had not shouted slogans or initiated the protest but was present because her brother and friends had already been detained. The video also showed another young man alleging he was held without reason despite having a mathematics exam.

The incident has drawn attention to the ongoing protests across India over the paper leak issue and the police response to demonstrators.

Student protests across multiple Indian states have intensified following the leak of question papers from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The central government is reportedly struggling to manage the growing unrest. On Thursday, July 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the protesting students through a message on social media platform X.

According to NDTV, Modi announced that the government has decided to establish a fast-track court to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in the leak. He stated that nothing is more important than the welfare and future of the youth, and directed authorities to take necessary steps to bring the culprits to justice. Modi emphasized that anyone attempting to harm the future of young people would face severe consequences.

Despite the government’s announcement, protesters have continued their demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Reports indicate that the protests have spread across several states, increasing pressure on the government to restore order.

India is witnessing widespread unrest following police action against student protests demanding the education minister’s resignation over an exam paper leak. While people from various walks of life have expressed solidarity with the students, Bollywood has remained largely silent except for a few exceptions.

In a podcast hosted by journalist Mehedi Hasan, Indian journalist Srinivasan Jain discussed why Bollywood celebrities avoid criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Jain argued that their compliance stems from fear for their careers and families rather than belief in Hindu nationalism. He cited examples such as the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son in a drug case, which he viewed as government pressure. Jain added that similar intimidation affects cricketers, athletes, and industrialists, with investigative agencies allegedly used against dissenters.

According to Jain, even immense popularity cannot shield stars from retaliation. He recalled that actor Aamir Khan faced online attacks and lost commercial deals after expressing concern over violence against Muslims during Modi’s first term.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

Fresh clashes broke out in India’s capital, Delhi, during ongoing demonstrations by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). While the main protest site at Jantar Mantar remained calm, violence erupted near Parliament Marg where protesters clashed with law enforcement. Police used tear gas to control the situation, and some protesters reportedly threw stones in retaliation. According to Delhi Police, five officers were injured, and one was allegedly assaulted by demonstrators.

The situation became most tense near the Park Hotel on Parliament Marg, prompting deployment of additional police and paramilitary forces. CJP volunteers urged protesters to remain peaceful, warning that violence could undermine the movement’s goals. They also removed stones from nearby roads to prevent their use in further clashes.

Authorities temporarily suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometer radius around Jantar Mantar from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning to prevent escalation. Security was tightened with barricades and riot-control vehicles positioned near Parliament Street police station.

At least 26 people, including women and children, have died in flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall and cloudbursts across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Doda, Budgam, and Kulgam. Authorities have evacuated hundreds of residents to safer locations and issued renewed warnings to avoid riverbank areas as the situation remains critical.

The disaster began on Saturday night when torrential rain caused rivers and streams in the Pir Panjal mountain region to overflow. In Rajouri, the Darhali River breached protective embankments, flooding residential areas and causing severe damage. Landslides and infrastructure losses were also reported in remote areas such as Thana Mandi, Darhal, and Manjakote. In Budgam’s Beerwah, a shopping complex collapsed, but prior evacuation prevented major casualties.

Heavy rainfall has also forced the closure of the main highway linking Kashmir with mainland India. Local authorities have extended summer vacations in all educational institutions by one week, while the meteorological department has maintained forecasts of heavy rain and flooding for the next three days, keeping the region on high alert.

Indian educator and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Wednesday that he will not end his hunger strike demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. His statement came after Health Minister J.P. Nadda assured him that the government would consider assistance for affected students’ families and review the resignation issue. Despite expressing gratitude, Wangchuk said he would continue fasting until the government acts in line with the demands of students and youth.

Following his message, the Cockroach Janata Party declared that its protest movement would continue until their demands are met. The party’s founder, Abhijit Deep, urged Wangchuk to end his fast, saying the movement would carry on inspired by his efforts. Hundreds of demonstrators remained at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar despite heat, humidity, and intermittent rain, with food and supplies arriving from across India through volunteers and delivery apps.

Authorities have deployed 20 companies of central security forces from West Bengal to Delhi and closed several metro stations. The protests stem from allegations of a leaked NEET medical entrance exam paper and the reported suicides of at least 20 students.