NEET Paper Leak Protest Turns Violent in Delhi; Police Use Tear Gas
The NEET paper leak protest escalated into violence in Delhi after demonstrators clashed with police near Tolstoy Marg. Authorities used lathicharge and tear gas, while similar protests were held in Mumbai amid heightened security.
July 23, 2026: The protest over the alleged NEET question paper leak intensified in New Delhi on Wednesday night, with clashes breaking out between protesters and police near Tolstoy Marg. The violence coincided with a press conference by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who addressed the issue at around 8:45 PM.
As the night progressed, the situation became increasingly tense. According to Delhi Police, a large group of protesters moved from Jantar Mantar towards Tolstoy Marg, where the demonstration turned violent. Protesters allegedly began pelting stones at security personnel, prompting the police to launch a lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Tear gas shells were also fired to bring the situation under control.
Police officials claimed that some protesters were carrying sharp weapons, including swords and khukris, during the clashes. The authorities said security personnel acted after repeated attempts to control the crowd failed.
Several Police Personnel Injured; Similar Protests Held in Mumbai
The violence left at least five police personnel injured, according to Delhi Police. The injured reportedly include two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and two police inspectors, who sustained injuries while trying to manage the crowd.
Police sources said that leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) repeatedly appealed to protesters from the stage to remain peaceful and avoid moving towards restricted areas. The organisers were also requested by the police to stop the march. However, many protesters allegedly ignored these appeals and continued advancing, leading to the confrontation.
Meanwhile, similar protests were also held in Mumbai, where members and supporters of the CJP gathered at Shivaji Park to demonstrate against the alleged NEET paper leak.
Shocking footage from Delhi on 20 July 2026 during the CJP "Chalo Sansad" (March to Parliament) protest.
Thousands of students, parents and citizens gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper… pic.twitter.com/Z19GrSpkH7
— Mohini Maheshwari (@MohiniWealth) July 21, 2026
According to reports, nearly 1,500 protesters assembled at the venue, and around 200 people were detained by Mumbai Police during the protest.
Authorities had already put the national capital under heavy security in anticipation of large-scale demonstrations. Students and protesters from different parts of the country had gathered at Jantar Mantar throughout the day.
As part of the security arrangements, 16 Delhi Metro stations were temporarily closed to manage crowd movement and maintain law and order.
In addition to personnel from the Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), the Ministry of Home Affairs reportedly airlifted 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from West Bengal to Delhi as a precautionary measure.
The situation remained under close watch late into the night, with security forces maintaining a strong presence across key areas of the capital to prevent any further escalation.
