NEET Protests: "How Can You Say This Is For Publicity?": Delhi High Court Rejects Police Stand On Jantar Mantar Crackdown

Taking a stern view of state action against student demonstrators, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued formal notices to the Centre and the Delhi Police, commanding the immediate preservation of all CCTV footage, video logs, and official records from Monday's violent clashes near Jantar Mantar. Hearing a series of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) alleging severe police brutality during the "Sansad Chalo" rally, a division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia sharply rejected attempts to downplay the petitions, questioning how claims of fundamental rights violations could be dismissed as mere publicity stunts.

The bench pushed back against opposing arguments that affected individuals should file private complaints instead of seeking judicial intervention through PILs. Refusing to offer an ultimate ruling on the merits or the authenticity of video submissions at this initial stage, the judges ordered authorities to secure all physical and digital evidence under standard operating procedures. Pointing to Supreme Court precedent in Anita Thakur v. State of Jammu and Kashmir, the court affirmed that public law remedies remain fully valid when allegations of disproportionate state force arise. The matter is set for detailed arguments on 11 September.

Clashes Outside Parliament Trigger Legal And Political Fallout

Tensions reached a breaking point during the 20 July Parliament march when thousands of student demonstrators breached police barriers at Jantar Mantar to reach Parliament House. Law enforcement agencies deployed teargas shells and resorted to heavy lathi charges to disperse the crowd, leaving over 100 police personnel and more than 60 student protesters injured in the ensuing chaos.
Following the confrontation, Delhi Police detained approximately 70 individuals and registered at least nine First Information Reports (FIRs) across police stations in Connaught Place, Parliament Street, and Barakhamba Road, alleging rioting, assault on public servants, and damage to public property. Although Union Minister J.P. Nadda held preliminary discussions with a CJP delegation to negotiate an end to the sit-in, student leaders maintain their peaceful demonstration will continue at Jantar Mantar until concrete executive decisions are taken.

From Digital Satire To High-Stakes Street Agitation

What began as a satirical online campaign created by political strategist Abhijeet Dipke quickly mutated into a massive youth movement. Formed in response to controversial judicial remarks concerning unemployed youth, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered millions of social media followers within weeks, evolving into a primary outlet for student dissatisfaction across the country.
At the heart of the ongoing agitation is widespread public fury over systemic examination irregularities and paper leaks in major competitive exams, including NEET 2026. The movement’s key demands include:
• Executive Accountability: Immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Administrative Reform: Full systemic audit and accountability for national examination bodies.
• Financial Relief: Institutional compensation for affected students and families.
• Support for Dissenters: Unconditional freedom of movement for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the student protests and launched an indefinite hunger strike.

Also Read: NEET Protest: Govt, Opposition at Odds, CJP Seeks Neutral Talks, Dipke Urges Wangchuk to End Fast