Page 2 - Jantar Mantar

Ready for discussion on Neet leak, protests won't help: Govt to Opposition

The government on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that it is willing to hold a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue, and urged Speaker Om Birla to convene a meeting of all parties to decide on the rule, date and duration of the debate. As soon as the House reassembled at noon after an earlier adjournment, Birla asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to make a statement but Congress leader K C Venugopal intervened to assert that the Opposition is also seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Rijju said the government is willing to hold a discussion on NEET paper leak issue but the Speaker will have to meet floor leaders of all parties to decide on the rule under which the discussion will be held, its date and duration. Amid Opposition sloganeering, the House was adjourned till 2 pm. The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the NEET paper leak issue and is also seeking the resignation of Pradhan over the handling of the controversy over th

Right to protest in India: What the Constitution allows and restricts

CJP's protest at Jantar Mantar has put the spotlight back on protest laws. Here's what the Constitution says about the right to protest and when authorities can impose restrictions

'Don't waste our time': CJI junks plea against police action at CJP protest

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a request for urgent listing of a plea challenging the police action against students during the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest march in Delhi. The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. "I have the videos as well regarding police brutality... If it can be listed tomorrow (Thursday)... students are there," the lawyer said. He said that students had allegedly been subjected to police brutality during the protest and said the petition contained three prayers. The CJI declined the request and made it clear that the bench was not inclined to examine video footage at the mentioning stage. "We are not interested in videos, we don't have time to watch... We don't want to watch videos," the CJI said. When the counsel reiterated that students had been beaten up and again referred to the video evidence, the CJI said, "Don't waste our time. We don't want to w

Lutyens' Delhi under high alert ahead of CJP, Youth Congress protests

High security arrangements will remain in place in the Lutyens' Delhi area as the city police gears up for separate protests by the CJP and the Youth Congress in the New Delhi and Central districts, official sources said. A multi-layered security arrangement will be put in place around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Rafi Marg, Parliament Street and other sensitive locations to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, the source said. Additional police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed at key intersections and vulnerable points, while anti-riot units, quick reaction teams and reserve forces will remain on standby. Barricades have already been erected at strategic locations, and surveillance through CCTV cameras and other monitoring systems have been intensified, he said. Traffic restrictions are likely to be imposed around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Rafi Marg and adjoining roads depending on the movement of protesters. Traffic police will regulate ..

Centre deploys 20 additional CRPF companies in Delhi amid CJP protests

The Centre has ordered deployment of 20 additional companies of the CRPF in Delhi to strengthen security measures in view of the CJP protests and demonstrations by various political parties, officials said on Wednesday. The forces, all drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), are being airlifted from West Bengal after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered their immediate deployment in the national capital on Tuesday night. A total of 20 CRPF companies are being airlifted from Kolkata to be deployed in Delhi to strengthen the law and order in view of the CJP protests, demonstrations by various political parties and the ongoing Parliament session, official sources in the security establishment told PTI. Multiple instances of violent clashes during the latest protests have necessitated this immediate deployment, they said. They said these companies were deployed in West Bengal for the conduct of assembly elections held there a few months back and were asked to stay put

Best of BS Opinion: India's foreign exchange strategy needs stable capital

From forex inflows and examination reform to FPI policy, rupee depreciation and behavioural science, today's Best of BS Opinion examines India's key policy choices

Rahul demands PM's apology, Shah's resignation over CJP protest crackdown

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must apologise to students for the police brutality against them and resign along with Home Minister Amit Shah. Speaking with reporters in Parliament House complex, Gandhi said he met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the morning along with other MPs and conveyed that the opposition wants to discuss the students issue. "He (Birla) said he will have to ask the government. So, the Speaker is telling us that to debate in Parliament he has to take permission from the government," Gandhi said. "The issue is of students and the way people are being beaten up, this is completely 'unIndian'. Modi ji has not even apologised for what has happened yesterday," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. These students are protesting over the education and testing system, he said. "The whole country knows that the education system and the testing system is broken and has ceased to exist," he said. Thousands of

Delhi HC declines urgent hearing of plea on police action on CJP protesters

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to urgently list a petition concerning the city police's use of "excessive force" against students who took part in the Cockroach Janta Party's protest march to Parliament. "Don't drag the court into all this," a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia told the petitioner. The bench said the matter will be listed for hearing on Wednesday. The petitioner mentioned the plea before the bench for an urgent hearing, stating that Delhi Police personnel used "excessive force" on the protesters. Thousands joined the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Chalo Sansad" march on Monday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. The CJP accused Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters to prevent them from reaching Parliament, alleging that several students were injured and activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo was pushed around. Delhi Police,

Shameful chapter: Congress slams govt over police action on CJP protesters

The Congress on Tuesday said the police action against protesters during the "Sansad Chalo" march over irregularities in examinations is a "shameful chapter" in the list of injustices inflicted upon the youth by the government. The opposition party warned that those who beat the country's youth under orders from people in power will one day have to face the "lathi" of the Constitution. Opposition parties had launched a blistering attack on the government over the police action against the Cockroach Janta Party-led "Sansad Chalo" march, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "most anti-youth" prime minister in the country's history. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) accused the Delhi Police of using excessive force against protesters to prevent them from reaching Parliament, alleging that several students were injured and activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo was pushed around. Delhi Police, however, denied that Angmo was ...

Protesters continue sit-in at Jantar Mantar; CJP vows to continue agitation

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, who met Nadda along with party spokesperson Saurav Das, said the meeting with the government ended without any outcome.

Forces use lathicharge, tear gas as CJP protesters march to Parliament

Delhi Police used sticks and batons to disperse hundreds of students and youth activists marching from Mandi House Metro Station towards Jantar Mantar in an attempt to reach the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest site on Monday, eyewitnesses said. The protesters, including a large number of women, raised slogans against the Centre while proceeding towards Jantar Mantar. Heavy deployment of Delhi Police personnel was seen in the area as police sought to prevent the march from advancing. There was no immediate official statement from the police on the reported use of force or any detentions.

Abhijit Dipke ends hunger strike; CJP members head to meet JP Nadda

CJP founder Abhijit Dipke broke his fast with a glass of juice before joining the protest march to Parliament

CJP activists claim they are ready for talks with govt, await response

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das signaled the organisation's willingness to engage in talks with the government regarding their long-standing demands for examination reforms

CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' March in Delhi today: Here's all you need to know

Around 20,000 people had gathered at and around Jantar Mantar on Sunday night, even before the scheduled mobilisation for the protest.

5 Metro stations shut, security tightened ahead of CJP's Parliament march

Delhi Police is on high alert ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed "Chalo Sansad" march on Monday, with heavy deployment of personnel visible at every nook and corner around Jantar Mantar, Parliament and other key locations. Authorities have also imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in the New Delhi district. The heightened vigil comes as the CJP announced the march in protest against alleged NEET irregularities and to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sachin Sharma shared a public advisory on X on Sunday, stating that "Delhi Police categorically clarifies that no permission has been sought or granted for any such protest march/procession." The prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS (formerly Section 144 CrPC) is currently in effect in the New Delhi district, according to the DCP's post. "Accordingly, protest marches, processions, ...

Can CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar outgrow its dependence on Wangchuk?

As Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike galvanises support, the CJP faces a defining test over whether its movement can sustain momentum beyond its strongest symbol

No treatment should be administered without my consent: Wangchuk's wife

The Delhi Police has shifted activist Sonam Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital, his wife Gitanjali J Angmo said on Saturday and asserted that no medical treatment should be administered to the activist without her consent. Wangchuk was shifted from the Jantar Mantar protest site early Saturday, the 21st day of his indefinite hunger strike. "He is at Safdarjung Hospital. I forbid them from administering anything without my consent. No treatment should start without my consent. I hold everybody accountable if anything happens," Angmo told PTI. Questioning the decision to hospitalise him, she claimed Wangchuk appeared fine on Friday. "Yesterday, he was doing fine. There was no need to bring him to the hospital. It's my right under Article 32. Without my consent and my doctor's consent, nothing can be administered," she said. The Delhi Police has said that Wangchuk was shifted to the hospital for "essential medical care" following expert medical advice and in compliance with the Delh

CJP's Dipke begins indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk hospitalised

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, was shifted to a hospital on Saturday after his health deteriorated on day 21 of his fast, Delhi Police said. "As per orders of Hon'ble High Court and on expert medical advise due to the deteriorating health condition of Sh. Sonam Wangchuk, he has been shifted to the hospital for essential medical care. While complying with the orders of Hon'ble High Court the protestors tried to create obstruction, in which slight commotion ensued, however police took maximum restrain and undertook the exercise safely," the police said in a statement. The police also appealed to the protesters to end their agitation, saying, "We request the protestors at Jantar Mantar to peacefully vacate the place at the earliest.

I'm no hero or modern Gandhi, be your own heroes, says Sonam Wangchuk

Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he is "just an ordinary citizen", not a "modern Gandhi" or a hero, urging people to become the "heroes" of their own lives instead of looking for someone else to lead. The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination irregularities entered its 22nd day on Saturday, while Wangchuk entered the 14th day of his indefinite hunger strike. According to a health update shared by the outfit, he has lost 7.5 kg since beginning the fast and his blood pressure was recorded at 106/74 mm Hg. In a video posted on X on Friday night, Wangchuk said he was feeling less energetic than the previous day but remained committed to the agitation. "Today, on the 13th day of my fast, I am not feeling as energetic as I was yesterday. I am feeling a little tired. It happens -- some days are better and some are not," he said. Thanking people for supporting the movement on social media, Wangchuk said two kinds of comments l

Sonam Wangchuk enters 7th day of hunger strike, CJP raises health concerns

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk entered the seventh day of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) saying he has lost five kilograms and that his health is deteriorating fast. The outfit insisted on its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on X said Wangchuk's condition was worsening with each passing day and wondered why Pradhan has not been sacked yetyet. "Sonam Sir has lost 5 kg, and his health is deteriorating with each passing day. How much longer will the Prime Minister wait before sacking Dharmendra Pradhan?" Dipke said. "Why is Dharmendra Pradhan so important to PM Modi that, despite the deaths of 20 students, he still refuses to remove him?" he asked. In another post, Dipke said the government would be responsible if anything happened to the activist. "If the government doesn't act fast and take action against Pradhan, it w