Those caught rioting may face passport cancellation: Police sources amid CJP protest

Delhi Police will initiate passport cancellation proceedings against individuals found involved in rioting, in addition to taking legal action under existing laws, signalling a tougher stance against those accused of participating in violent protests.

The decision follows the violence during the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) Chalo Sansad march on Monday, when protesters attempted to breach security barricades around Parliament. This prompted security forces to fire tear gas shells, resort to lathi charges and deploy anti-riot vehicles.

Several protesters and police personnel sustained minor injuries, while the party claimed its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, was detained.

CJP CALLS FOR NATIONWIDE PROTEST

Following the violence, the CJP announced a nationwide peaceful protest on July 24, calling for demonstrations in every district against the alleged police brutality on students during the NEET agitation.

The party appealed to student unions and organisations to coordinate locally, publicly read out the students' demands and express solidarity with those affected by the police action.

Until this week, the agitation at Jantar Mantar had remained relatively limited in scale, with students and activists gathering daily to protest the alleged NEET irregularities and demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

That changed after Monday's confrontation with police.

CROWDS JUMPED ON MONDAY

Large crowds, many of them first-time participants, began arriving at the protest site on Monday, filling roads leading to Jantar Mantar. CJP organisers admitted they could no longer estimate the turnout, while several demonstrators said videos of the police action had prompted them to join the movement.

Meanwhile, the political confrontation over the student agitation also intensified. Union Minister Jitendra Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of going back on his word despite the government's agreement to hold a discussion on the alleged NEET irregularities in Parliament.

The remarks came as Congress leaders continued their sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a discussion on the NEET issue and the alleged police action against students in Parliament, and an inquiry into the police crackdown on protesters.

Earlier in the day, several Congress MPs and senior leaders staged a protest outside the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. They also sought the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the police action during the CJP's Chalo Sansad march.

WANGCHUK ENTERS 25TH DAY OF HUNGER STRIKE

Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 25 days over the alleged NEET irregularities, on Wednesday released a letter outlining the conditions for ending his fast. He sought an assurance from the government that none of the students who participated in the July 20 march would face punitive action.

Notably, the letter did not reiterate his earlier demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a move seen as a softening of his stand. However, Wangchuk said Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, who visited him in hospital earlier this week, had assured him that the demand for Pradhan's resignation would be considered.