CJP calls for nationwide protest tomorrow; Delhi HC appoints special judge for fast-track court

In a major move, Delhi HC has appointed Anu Grover Baliga as Special Judge to deal with paper leaks and unfair means in public exams after PM Modi's announcement on setting up fast-track courts. Amid ongoing student protests against paper leaks and demands for an overhaul of the education system, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for peaceful protests in every district across the country to express solidarity with survivors of police brutality.

Meanwhile, the Centre has ordered an internet shutdown within a 1.5 km radius near Jantar Mantar.

CJP's poster for peaceful protest has requested students' unions and other organisations to collaborate and work together for permission and logistics.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has posted on social media X and said that certain “antisocial elements” are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence. Wangchuk posted on X and said: “No matter what the other side does our response must only be flowers. Please keep this tradition at all costs.”

Prominent sportsperson, actors from the entertainment industry have come out in support of students.

Additionally, the Centre has also extended the Delhi Commissioner of Police's powers under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, amid the CJP-led protest.

BCI appeals to lawyers

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has appealed to the country's legal fraternity and intellectuals to help safeguard the nation, alleging that anti-national forces and foreign adversaries had infiltrated the ongoing student protests and were attempting to destabilise India.

In a press release, BCI chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra urged lawyers, teachers, professors, doctors, engineers, journalists, entrepreneurs, scientists and other professionals to engage with students and steer them away from violence and misinformation.

Notably, the lawyers of the Supreme Court have also extended their support to the protesting youth.

Also read 'Sack First. Then Tweet': PM Modi's statement draws sharp criticism from students, CJP and opposition

Student groups express solidarity, plan protests

The Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) and students of the North-Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya expressed solidarity with the CJP's protests over NEET paper leak, describing the movement as a fight to safeguard public institutions and the future of India's youth.

As part of the ongoing CJP movement, the West Bengal State Chhatra Parishad will hold a rally tomorrow as part of the “ChhatronKiGunj” campaign. Participants and students can assemble in front of the University of Calcutta, College Street Campus, at 3 pm.

Also read VMSB UTU cancels two semester exams over alleged paper leak; re-exams in August

Students protest in Maharashtra, Bihar

Hundreds of students hurled stones at security personnel during a protest over NEET paper leak in Bihar's Katihar district, following which police personnel baton-charged to disperse the agitators, a senior officer said.

Agitators held the protest in front of the district collectorate office, raising slogans against the BJP-led central government and demanding the resignation of the Union education minister.

Also, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said his party will organise a 'Tiranga morcha' tomorrow in solidarity with the students demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister.

DU, IIT Madras back PM Modi

Delhi University (DU) has appealed to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to end his hunger strike, while welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to set up fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases.

However, DU’s posts have sparked criticism from sections of teachers and students, who questioned educational institutions taking a public position on a politically contentious issue. Abha Dev Habib, a faculty member at Miranda House, said the protesting students were seeking answers rather than “political endorsements.”

Also, DU has asked its students not to appear for unlawful demonstrations at the CJP’s protest site.

“Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action. Such activities can also pose serious risks to students’ personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities,”

According to an NDTV report, as student protests continued nationwide through slogans, banner messages, and short videos, IIT Madras has directed its students to remove protest-related videos from their Instagram accounts.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an IIT Madras student told NDTV that the institute had instructed them to delete the Instagram videos that had been posted in solidarity with the ongoing student protests.