Kejriwal questions govt intent as Connaught Place shops ordered shut by 6:30 pm amid NEET protests
Synopsis
Arvind Kejriwal publicly asked if the government was 'planning to attack the children at Jantar Mantar' after a traders' body ordered Connaught Place to shut by 6:30 pm on 23 July — citing a 'critical situation' on NDMC's telephonic instruction. With ambulances reportedly massing near the NEET protest site and Internet access reportedly curtailed, the political temperature around the student demonstrations has sharply escalated.
Key Takeaways
Arvind Kejriwal alleged an unprecedented security build-up at Jantar Mantar on 23 July 2026 , amid ongoing student protests over NEET paper leaks .
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) issued an urgent advisory ordering all Connaught Place shops, restaurants, and offices to shut by 6:30 pm , citing instructions from NDMC leadership.
Kejriwal shared the advisory on X and asked whether the government was 'planning to attack the children at Jantar Mantar.' On Wednesday night , Kejriwal had already cautioned PM Modi via a self-recorded video against any 'misadventure' against protesting students.
Reports of ambulances gathering near the site and curtailed Internet access in the area heightened concerns about a possible security action.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, 23 July 2026 alleged that an unprecedented security build-up had taken place in and around Jantar Mantar, the focal point of student demonstrations against NEET paper leaks, as ambulances were reported to have gathered near the protest site. Kejriwal publicly questioned the government's intent behind the escalation, sharing a traders' advisory on his X account that directed all shops and establishments in Connaught Place to shut by 6:30 pm.
The Traders' Advisory
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) issued an 'urgent' circular asking all shop owners, restaurants, and office establishments in the Connaught Place area to close for the day by 6:30 pm on 23 July 2026. The advisory stated it was issued on telephonic instruction from the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), citing what it described as a 'critical situation' around the area.
The full advisory read: 'As advised by the Chairman NDMC and Vice Chairman NDMC, telephonically, looking at the critical situation around CP, it has been strictly advised that all shops and establishments, including offices and restaurants, in Connaught Place, New Delhi, shall close for the day by 6.30 pm, today that is 23.07.2026. All establishment owners/occupiers are requested to cooperate and ensure strict compliance with the above directions to avoid any unpleasant situation and save yourself from any loss of property and injury.'
Kejriwal's Allegations Against the Government
Sharing the advisory on X, Kejriwal pointedly asked whether the government was 'planning to attack the children at Jantar Mantar today,' framing the early closure order as a precursor to a possible crackdown on the protesting students. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief has been among the most vocal critics of the Centre over alleged irregularities in recent competitive examinations and what his party calls 'inaction' in fixing accountability.
This is not the first such warning from Kejriwal. On Wednesday night, he had released a self-recorded video cautioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi against any 'misadventure' against the students. In that video, he cited reports from 'known sources' about a sudden surge in security personnel at Jantar Mantar and curtailed Internet access in the surrounding area — signals he said pointed to an imminent crackdown.
The NEET Protest Backdrop
The demonstrations at Jantar Mantar have drawn students from across the country demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). AAP has extended formal support to the students, with Kejriwal saluting what he called their 'indomitable' spirit in the face of what the party described as a 'brutal' response from authorities.
This comes amid a broader national debate over examination integrity, with multiple opposition parties pressing the Centre for a transparent investigation. The deployment of ambulances near the protest site — reported ahead of the advisory — has added to concerns about the scale of the security response.
What Happens Next
With the Connaught Place shutdown advisory in effect and security presence reportedly heightened, all eyes are on how authorities manage the situation at Jantar Mantar through the evening of 23 July. The government has not issued any public statement in direct response to Kejriwal's allegations as of the time of this report.
Point of View
Rather than a formal police or district administration notice, is an unusual administrative choice that limits the paper trail. Kejriwal's rapid amplification on X converts a logistical instruction into a political flashpoint. What is missing from the public record is any official government explanation for the security build-up, the ambulance deployment, or the reported Internet restrictions — a silence that, in the current climate, is itself a statement.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Connaught Place shops asked to close by 6:30 pm on 23 July?
The New Delhi Traders Association issued an urgent advisory directing all shops, restaurants, and offices in Connaught Place to shut by 6:30 pm on 23 July 2026, citing a 'critical situation' and telephonic instructions from the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the NDMC. The advisory asked owners to comply strictly to avoid property loss or injury.
What did Arvind Kejriwal allege about the Jantar Mantar security build-up?
Kejriwal alleged that unprecedented security forces had been deployed at and around Jantar Mantar, where students are protesting NEET paper leaks, and that ambulances had gathered near the site. He questioned whether the government was preparing a crackdown on the students.
What is the NEET protest at Jantar Mantar about?
Students have gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand accountability over alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The demonstrations have drawn participants from across the country and broad opposition support, including from AAP.
What did Kejriwal say in his Wednesday night video?
In a self-recorded video released on Wednesday night, Kejriwal cited reports from 'known sources' about a surge in security personnel at Jantar Mantar and curtailed Internet access in the area. He cautioned PM Modi against any 'misadventure' to forcibly suppress the students' movement.
Has the government responded to Kejriwal's allegations?
As of the time of this report, the government had not issued any public statement directly addressing Kejriwal's allegations about the security build-up, the ambulance deployment, or the reported Internet restrictions near the protest site.
