Mobile Internet Suspended in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar Area Amid 34-Day Student Protest
The Delhi Police have suspended mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar until midnight, as a student protest led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues for the 34th day. The area has been a designated protest site for the group, which has been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
Additionally, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed outside the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with police warning residents and visitors to comply.
The ongoing standoff has also disrupted business in the capital. The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) advised all shops and restaurants in Connaught Place to close after 6:30 PM on Thursday, citing the current situation. Many establishments complied, leading to an early shutdown of the commercial hub.
Meanwhile, opposition MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance gathered at the Gandhi Smriti memorial on Tees January Marg after a meeting at the residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Sunheri Bagh, where they discussed the government's crackdown on protesters.
Talks between the CJP and the central government have remained stalled. The government claims to have reached out four times without receiving a response. Union Minister Jitendra Singh, after meeting Home Minister Amit Shah, stated that the "government's doors are open always for talks with students" and invited protesters to meet at the residence or office of BJP President J P Nadda. However, the CJP has insisted on a neutral venue near Jantar Mantar for any dialogue.
The offer for talks came days after tens of thousands of student protesters attempted to march on Parliament, demanding action on the NEET paper leak. On the same day, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Minister J P Nadda. The party submitted a letter outlining their demands, following a government outreach earlier that morning. Nadda confirmed the meeting was "cordial" but noted that the request for talks originated from the protesters.
Earlier, Delhi Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse protesters attempting to converge on Parliament. Witnesses reported injuries on both sides, including protesters and police personnel. Videos showing officers striking and dragging away protestors circulated on social media, drawing widespread reactions.
Protest momentum increased over the weekend after activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to a hospital by police, according to reports.
