Sixteen Delhi Metro stations were shut for entry and exit on Thursday, 23 July, as security forces intensified their presence across New Delhi following violent clashes linked to the Jantar Mantar protest demanding accountability over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak. The closures, spanning key hubs from Rajiv Chowk to Central Secretariat, mark one of the most sweeping Metro shutdowns the capital has seen in recent months.

Stations Affected

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) confirmed that the following stations were closed for passenger entry and exit: 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.

However, the DMRC clarified, in a post on X, that interchange facilities at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat would remain operational, allowing commuters to transfer between lines even as entry and exit were suspended.

What Triggered the Protests

The unrest traces back to 20 July, when thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), alongside students, marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament. Their central demand: the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over a pattern of examination irregularities, with the NEET-UG paper leak serving as the immediate flashpoint.

The demonstrations drew students, opposition leaders, and civil society activists calling for systemic accountability in India's public examination framework. This comes amid a broader national debate over the integrity of competitive entrance tests, which millions of students appear each year.

Late-Night Clashes and Police Injuries

Fresh violence was reported on Wednesday night, when a group of individuals allegedly attacked police personnel with stones and bottles near Tolstoy Marg in the Connaught Place area at around 8:30 pm. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Connaught Place, Vivek Bhagat, sustained injuries in the attack, according to officials.

Delhi Police have attributed the incident to miscreants and stated that a thorough investigation is underway. Security has since been significantly reinforced across the affected zones to prevent further escalation.

Impact on Commuters and the City

The Metro closures have disrupted daily movement for lakhs of commuters who depend on the network to navigate central Delhi. The affected corridor covers some of the most densely used stations on the Yellow Line and Blue Line, connecting government offices, courts, commercial hubs, and residential neighbourhoods.

Notably, this is not the first time Metro stations in central Delhi have been shuttered during large-scale protests — similar closures were enforced during demonstrations in earlier years. The pattern underscores the recurring tension between public order management and urban mobility in the capital.

With investigations ongoing and security deployments in place, authorities are expected to reassess station operations in the coming days depending on ground conditions.