New Delhi: The ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET (UG) 2026 paper leak witnessed another flare-up late Tuesday night, with fresh clashes reported in Delhi’s Connaught Place. The renewed unrest during the CJP protest came a day after large-scale demonstrations in the national capital, prompting heightened security across the area.
According to reports, confrontations broke out shortly after midnight near Janpath, where a section of protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting. Security personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) reportedly came under attack, while a police vehicle was also damaged during the disturbance. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the number of injuries or detentions linked to the latest incident.
Despite the unrest, the CJP leadership appealed to its supporters to maintain discipline during the agitation. Party spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka announced that protesters should refrain from raising “Aazadi” slogans, saying the movement should instead focus on patriotic expressions.
“India’s freedom was secured through the sacrifices of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Our volunteers should raise slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ while continuing the protest peacefully,” Ranka said.
The controversy over the examination leak also drew its first public response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing members of the NDA during a parliamentary meeting, the Prime Minister reportedly said that those responsible for manipulating examination systems would face the strictest possible punishment.
According to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who briefed the media after the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that examination paper leaks should not become a subject of political confrontation.
“He made it clear that paper leaks are a national concern, not an issue confined to any one government or political party. Every state and every institution must work together to build foolproof systems that protect students’ futures,” Rijiju said.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also broke his silence on the controversy. Responding to the continuing protests, he stated that students deserve meaningful reforms rather than political confrontation.
In a social media post, Pradhan criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence, accusing the opposition of attempting to convert students’ concerns into political mobilisation during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The CJP has continued to demand accountability over the alleged examination irregularities, including the resignation of the Education Minister and stronger safeguards against future paper leaks. With protests showing no signs of slowing and security remaining tight across parts of the capital, the issue is expected to dominate both political discourse and parliamentary proceedings in the days ahead.
