CJP protest live: CJP claims police stopped ‘damaged car’ outside Jantar Mantar; 16 metro stations closed again

CJP PROTEST LIVE: While the protest site remained largely peaceful on Wednesday, tensions rose along Sansad Marg

The CJP claimed early Thursday that Delhi Police stopped a “completely damaged car” outside the protest site, questioning its intent. “Everyone should remember that this car was brought here in this condition – and it is important to register it before they can blame peaceful protesters,” the CJP said, sharing photos of the car seen with its windows and windshield smashed.

While the protest site remained largely peaceful on Wednesday, tensions rose in the Sansad Marg area, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police. While security personnel used tear gas shells on the protesters who spread to Sansad Marg, the protesters pelted stones at the police personnel and chased them on the main radial road in Connaught Place. According to Delhi Police, at least five policemen – two constables, an inspector, a head constable and one constable – were injured in the fresh tensions.

The CJP on Wednesday also claimed that internet services were shut down around Jantar Mantar, questioning whether the government was preparing for another police crackdown. “Internet shut down in Jantar Mantar. Is the government planning another brutal crackdown?” Abhijit Debaki, convener of the CJP, said in a post on X. In another post, Debaki appealed to the police and paramilitary forces not to “obey illegal orders asking you to beat up innocent protesters.”

CJP spokesperson Sourav Das confirmed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s demand, saying it was non-negotiable. Das said he spoke several times with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite fast while at Medanta Hospital.

The conclusion, Das said, is that the protest remains peaceful and is being conducted in a “correct manner.” “Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is non-negotiable. Without it, the protest will continue,” Das said.

Wangchuk says confirmed request from government will be considered ‘favourably’

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday claimed that union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him and assured that the government would “favourably consider” a parliamentary debate to ensure accountability over paper leaks, including the education minister’s resignation. He said the government has assured that it will also look into adequate compensation to the families of students who died by suicide in the wake of the alleged NEET paper leak.

However, Wangchuk said he would end his hunger strike only if the government gave an “unequivocal assurance” that any student or protester who participated in the anti-NEET movement would not face punitive or retaliatory legal action.

There is no discussion about the paper leaks until the Minister of Education resigns

While the government confirmed its readiness to hold a discussion on the paper leaks in Parliament, the opposition demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Pradhan. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharjee said: “There will be no discussion on this issue until the education minister resigns… It cannot be a fair discussion until he resigns.”

Meanwhile, opposition MPs staged black-clad protests against the government at Parliament headquarters. People familiar with the matter said that the government accused the opposition of politicizing the ongoing student movement and said it was changing its “goals,” stressing that the doors to dialogue with those leading the protests are “always open.”