Sixteen Delhi Metro stations in central New Delhi were shut on Wednesday, 22 July, as authorities enforced heightened security in response to ongoing demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The closures, announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), affected key interchange hubs and arterial corridors connecting the city's political and commercial heart.

Which Stations Were Closed

The DMRC shuttered 16 stations across central Delhi, including 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. The corporation clarified that interchange facilities at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat remained operational to allow passengers to transfer between lines despite the full station closures.

What Triggered the Protests

The disruptions stem from violent demonstrations that broke out on Monday, when thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and students marched from Jantar Mantar toward Parliament. Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including alleged paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination. The agitation drew students, opposition leaders, and civil society activists calling for systemic accountability in India's education framework. Delhi Police have assured a thorough investigation into the violence that accompanied the march.

Security Posture and Administrative Response

Security forces have been deployed in strength across the protest zone and adjoining areas to maintain law and order. The metro closures are part of a broader containment strategy to limit crowd movement toward sensitive government buildings. This is not the first time central Delhi Metro stations have been shut during large-scale protests — similar closures were enforced during the farmers' agitation in 2020-21 and during the CAA demonstrations.

Sonam Wangchuk's Hunger Strike Enters Day 25

Separately, but against the same backdrop of political tension in the capital, climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk marked the 25th day of his indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh visited Wangchuk at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, where he had been shifted from Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi for further treatment. The transfer was carried out in compliance with a Delhi High Court order, with Wangchuk arriving at Medanta by ambulance under tight security. He was admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the care of Dr Sushila Kataria, an internal medicine specialist, according to hospital officials.

What Happens Next

Metro services are expected to be restored progressively as the security situation stabilises, though no official timeline has been confirmed. The Jantar Mantar protest site remains under watch, with authorities monitoring for any fresh escalation. The government's next move on the NEET-UG irregularities controversy — and whether it addresses protesters' core demand for Pradhan's resignation — is likely to determine whether demonstrations intensify or wind down in the coming days.