Delhi Metro shuts 16 key stations as CJP protest swells. Check full list

Sixteen Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi were shut on Thursday for security reasons as crowds grew at the Cockroach Janata Party's ongoing Jantar Mantar protest. The demonstration, demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over examination paper leaks, entered its third day after the 'Sansad Chalo' march.

In Short

• Demonstrators continued their sit-in for a third day after Sansad Chalo march
• Interchange services remained available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat
• CJP alleged excessive force after police used batons and tear gas

Sixteen Delhi Metro stations in central Delhi, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO and Khan Market, were closed on Thursday morning until further instructions for security reasons, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said. The move came as crowds swelled at the Cockroach Janata Party's ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar.

The protest, which is seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and action over examination paper leaks, showed no sign of easing. Demonstrators continued their sit-in at Jantar Mantar for the third consecutive day after the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' march.

In a post on X, the DMRC said, "Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium metro stations have been closed till further instructions." It added that interchange facilities would remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.

During the July 20 march, Delhi Police used baton charges and tear gas shells to stop protesters from moving towards Parliament. The CJP has alleged that excessive force was used during the police action, while Delhi Police has said action was taken after protesters tried to breach security arrangements.

The agitation began on June 20 and is demanding accountability over irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system, the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation for the families of students who died by suicide because of the paper leak.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, said on Wednesday that he would end his fast if the Centre assured that no punitive action or FIRs would be taken against the students and young people who joined the protest. He is admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram after being shifted there from Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.

With the protest continuing at Jantar Mantar and crowds increasing, metro services remained affected in parts of central Delhi on Thursday, even as the demonstrators kept up their demands over the paper leak and police action during the march towards Parliament.

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