Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the ongoing NEET protests, calling him India’s “past” while calling the protesting students the country’s “future” and asserting that the Prime Minister cannot defeat them.
Speaking to reporters, Gandhi alleged that government machinery was being used against the protesting students, but urged them to remain steadfast in their agitation.
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Liquor stores close before 8 p.m
According to Delhi government officials, the decision to reduce the operating timings of liquor shops was taken based on inputs from the Delhi Police, which cited the need for additional preventive measures to maintain law and order in the central Delhi area, PTI reported.
Officials said that the temporary change in working hours is aimed at preventing any untoward incidents during the protest period.
A similar situation was witnessed on Thursday, when many liquor stores across the city were closed earlier than usual without any prior public announcement. The unexpected closure has left many customers unable to purchase alcoholic beverages and forced them to return empty-handed.
According to officials, the early closure of liquor stores is purely a precautionary measure and is part of the government’s efforts to ensure public safety and maintain law and order during the ongoing demonstrations.
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18 metro stations remain closed
18 Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi were closed on Saturday, the fourth consecutive day of such closure due to security concerns amid the ongoing CJP protest near Jantar Mantar, officials said.
According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), stations remain closed from 7.30 am until further instructions. However, interchange facilities will be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations.
The stations closed include Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barkhamba Road, Supreme Court, Siva Tirth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium, Gandhiwalan, New Delhi.
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Mobile Internet has stopped for the sixth time
The government on Saturday extended the mobile internet shutdown in and around the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi until 12 midnight, and directed telecom service providers (TSPs) to suspend mobile internet services within a 1.5 km radius of the protest venue. The latest extension marks the sixth internet shutdown order issued in the region in the past five days.
The first lockdown order was issued on July 20, directing telecom operators, including Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, to suspend mobile internet services from 10 am to 6 pm in parts of central Delhi around Jantar Mantar.
This was followed by a second order on July 22, cutting off internet access from 6pm until 6am the next morning.
The third order was issued on Thursday extending the suspension from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A fourth order was issued later on Thursday extending the lockdown period from 4.30pm to 12am, according to people familiar with the matter in the telecom industry.
Read also | Shops in the capital, Delhi, close early; 17 metro stations closed again
Connaught Place establishments closed early
Shops, restaurants and offices were closed across Connaught Place early on Thursday after the New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) issued an urgent advisory asking establishments to close by 6.30pm as a precautionary measure amid increased movement of people and security personnel in the area.
The warning issued on Thursday morning said: “Given the critical situation around CP, all shops and establishments, including offices and restaurants, in Connaught Place will close for the day by 6.30pm, today i.e. 23.07.2026.”
The circular also requested all owners/occupiers of the facility to cooperate and ensure strict adherence to the directives “to avoid any unpleasant situation and save themselves from any property loss or injury.”
The circular was issued on the advice of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the association said.
