Cockroach party protests force suspension of India’s Parl…

Opposition parties staged a protest at parliament on ‌Wednesday demanding the resignation of India’s education minister, echoing the demands of student demonstrators, before entering the chambers and forcing the suspension of proceedings.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was released after being detained outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence during the protests.

The protests have also spread outside the capital, with demonstrations by youth and opposition groups being held in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa, Guwahati, ⁠Thiruvananthapuram, Jammu and Ahmedabad.

The protests, which started last month over the leak of medical ⁠school entrance exam papers that affected some 2 million students, grew this week into the biggest youth challenge to Prime Minister Narendra ‌Modi since he came to power in 2014.

Cockroach party protests force suspension of India's Parliament, shut 16 Delhi Metro stations

Tens ‌of thousands of young protesters took to the streets of New Delhi on Monday, clashing with police who used tear gas and batons to push them back.

Opposition lawmakers led by Rahul Gandhi gathered outside the Parliament building in New Delhi on Wednesday, many dressed in black and waving placards calling on Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to quit.

“Our children’s future is not for sale”, “Save lives, Stop NEET”, ‌the placards read, referring to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, as the medical school test is called.

They also shouted slogans against Modi and Pradhan.

Once inside Parliament, Opposition ⁠lawmakers demanded a debate on alleged police violence against student protesters and on the exam paper leak, forcing a temporary suspension of proceedings. Modi and Pradhan have said they are willing to debate the issue and broader education reforms.

Metro services hit

Sixteen central Delhi Metro stations, including Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, and Central Secretariat, were closed on Wednesday amid heightened security against the backdrop of the Jantar Mantar protest.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), however, stated that interchange facilities remain operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat to allow transfers despite full station closures.

The list includes Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, and Shivaji Stadium.

Uddhav Thackeray to meet students

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray will meet and interact with students protesting in Delhi on Wednesday, party leader Aaditya Thackeray announced. Aaditya Thackeray also assured that Shiv Sena (UBT) will provide complete legal assistance to student protesters who have received police notices or are facing legal action.

‘Couldn’t stay silent’

Singer Jasleen Royal has expressed solidarity with the students protesting across the country, saying she “couldn’t stay silent” as she crooned a heartfelt rendition of Luka Chuppi from the acclaimed 2006 film “Rang De Basanti” starring Aamir Khan.

Royal shared a video where she crooned the song, penned by Prasoon Joshi and originally sung by late legendary singer Lata Mangeskhar. The track was originally picturised on Waheeda Rahman and R. Madhavan.

The clip shared by the singer crooning ‘Luka Chuppi’ from ‘Rang De Basanti’ had a text overlay, which read: “I couldn’t stay silent. I use my voice to stand with every student protesting.”

She urged for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing unrest in the caption section.

Royal wrote: “My prayers are with everyone who has already been affected and I sincerely hope there are no further casualties or injuries. May dialogue lead the way, not division, and bring us closer to a peaceful resolution.”

Attack on RAF personnel

The Delhi Police have registered an FIR following an alleged attack on a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in the national capital, officials said on Wednesday.

Police said the FIR was filed after videos circulating on social media allegedly showed protesters assaulting an RAF personnel. The videos also purportedly showed protesters pelting stones at an RAF vehicle and damaging the vehicle during the confrontation.

The Delhi Police said that a total of 10 FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the CJP protest and various law-and-order incidents during the demonstration.

Naveen Patnaik demands resignation of Pradhan

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the wake of violence and alleged police assault on students during a protest rally over the NEET paper leak issue in New Delhi on July 20 organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

Speaking to mediapersons, Patnaik said: “I have also been asked whether the education minister should resign. Many demands from many parties have come for his resignation as all these serious injuries of young people have been taking place. So, under the circumstances, I think he should resign.”

Patnaik, who was in Delhi on Tuesday, met BJD MPs and held discussions on the emerging situation following the violent clash between protesters and police. He said the situation was grave, with many young students violently attacked and injured.

The BJD supremo also informed the media that the party’s MPs had visited RML Hospital to enquire about the health of students injured during the clash. He said the MPs offered all possible help to the injured persons.

“As I said, this is a very serious matter. As you can see, the situation is serious not only in Delhi but also in various cities across India, and even before our embassies in various international capitals.”

Agencies