A demonstration against the recent NEET examination paper leak took a violent turn on Wednesday night in the heart of the national capital. The protest, centered at Jantar Mantar, erupted into widespread stone-pelting following a fierce clash between demonstrating students affiliated with the Cockroach Janta Party and the deployed security forces. The confrontation resulted in serious injuries to a senior Delhi Police officer, significantly escalating the ongoing tensions over the national medical entrance exam controversy.
Senior Police Officers Sustain Severe Injuries
The sudden escalation of violence caught law enforcement personnel off guard. Connaught Place Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat bore the brunt of the attack and had to be rushed immediately to the emergency ward of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. The medical examination conducted by the doctors revealed multiple blunt force trauma marks across both of his hands and legs. The medical team also noted a significant shoulder injury. Most concerningly, the ACP suffered swelling in the parieto-occipital region located at the back of his head. The officer himself reported experiencing alarming symptoms, including vomiting and bleeding from his ear, prompting immediate medical intervention.
The surgery department at RML Hospital conducted a comprehensive medical evaluation and administered preliminary treatment. However, expressing a preference for specialized care, the injured officer requested a transfer to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Following the completion of all necessary diagnostic tests, the hospital discharged him on his own volition to facilitate the transfer. The violence was not limited to a single officer. The Assistant Commissioner of Police for the Punjabi Bagh jurisdiction, along with Inspector Nand Kishore and several other police personnel on duty, also sustained injuries during the chaotic stone-pelting incident.
FIR Registered Amidst Heavy Security Lockdown
In response to the severe breakdown of law and order in the Connaught Place area, the Delhi Police have officially registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation to identify the perpetrators of the violence. The authorities have drastically tightened the security apparatus around the remaining protesting students to prevent any further untoward incidents.
The fallout from the clash has heavily disrupted daily life in the capital. Commuters are facing massive inconveniences as the administration ordered the closure of exit gates across multiple key transit hubs. Exactly 16 Delhi Metro stations, including major interchanges like Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, and Janpath, have been locked down starting at 7:30 AM on Thursday. These restrictions will remain in place until further orders are issued by the authorities.
Political Heavyweights Join the NEET Battle
The Jantar Mantar site has been a hotbed of dissent since June 20, when the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) first launched an indefinite hunger strike. Prominent scientist Sonam Wangchuk has also thrown his weight behind the movement, joining the fast. The core demand of the protesters is the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for the massive NEET paper leak scandal.
The agitation has rapidly snowballed into a major political crisis, with a steady stream of opposition leaders arriving at the protest site to express solidarity with the CJP. The political temperature soared on July 21, when Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by a host of other political figures, staged a sit-in demonstration right outside the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi. The broader parliament march and associated protests have drawn participation from several high-profile personalities, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament Dimple Yadav, and veteran actress Shabana Azmi, highlighting the growing national outrage over the examination system's failures.
