Delhi Metro gates shut at 5 stations ahead of CJP 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20
Synopsis
As thousands gathered at Jantar Mantar for the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march, Delhi Metro shut gates at five central stations — including Rajiv Chowk — on 20 July. The protest targets Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak, timed deliberately to the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Key Takeaways
DMRC shut entry and exit gates at five stations — Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth — on 20 July .
Gates at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat were subsequently reopened after a partial normalisation.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised the 'Chalo Sansad' march to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak .
Activist Sonam Wangchuk , on an indefinite hunger strike, extended support but is hospitalised at Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on 20 July and runs until 13 August across 19 sittings .
Entry and exit gates at five Delhi Metro stations were temporarily shut on Monday, 20 July as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) mobilised thousands of supporters at Jantar Mantar for its 'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament. The closures, ordered as a precautionary measure, briefly disrupted commuter movement across central Delhi during the morning rush.
Which Stations Were Affected
According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), entry and exit gates at Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth Metro stations were closed until further instructions. The closures were put in place ahead of the CJP's planned march, even before the DMRC had formally issued its advisory — the party had already flagged the shutdowns to its supporters making their way to the protest site.
In a subsequent update, the DMRC confirmed that interchange facilities and station gates at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat had been reopened, signalling a partial restoration of normal operations as the situation stabilised.
What the Protest Demands
The 'Chalo Sansad' demonstration has been organised primarily to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak case and a broader pattern of examination irregularities — including alleged malpractice in the 12th CBSE Board examinations — that have stoked nationwide concern over the integrity of competitive assessments. The march was timed to coincide with the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commenced on 20 July and is scheduled to run until 13 August, covering 19 sittings over four weeks.
Sonam Wangchuk's Support and Hospitalisation
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been observing an indefinite hunger strike, extended his support to the CJP march. Wangchuk is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi after being shifted from the protest site. His hospitalisation followed a Delhi High Court order permitting authorities to intervene if his health deteriorated during the fast.
Context: NEET and Exam Integrity Concerns
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have erupted since allegations of the NEET-UG paper leak surfaced, triggering political controversy and legal scrutiny. Opposition parties and student groups have repeatedly called for accountability, arguing that systemic failures in examination administration have compromised the futures of lakhs of aspirants. This comes amid the Monsoon Session, where the issue is expected to be raised on the floor of both Houses.
With Parliament now in session and demonstrators gathered in central Delhi, the political temperature around examination integrity is set to remain high in the days ahead.
Point of View
Not a coincidence. The NEET-UG controversy has already cost the government credibility with a generation of aspirants; a street protest landing on Parliament's doorstep on Day 1 of the session raises the political cost of inaction further. That Sonam Wangchuk's hospitalisation adds a humanitarian dimension the government cannot easily dismiss makes the optics more complicated still. The real question is whether the Treasury Benches will offer a substantive response inside Parliament or attempt to wait out the pressure outside it.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Delhi Metro stations closed on 20 July?
The DMRC shut entry and exit gates at five central Delhi Metro stations — Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth — as a precautionary measure ahead of the CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march to Parliament. The closures were temporary, with Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat later reopened.
What is the 'Chalo Sansad' protest about?
The 'Chalo Sansad' march was organised by the Cockroach Janta Party to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak and related examination irregularities, including alleged malpractice in the 12th CBSE Board exams. The march was timed to coincide with the opening of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
What is Sonam Wangchuk's role in the protest?
Activist Sonam Wangchuk extended his support to the CJP march. He has been observing an indefinite hunger strike but is currently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi after being shifted from the protest site, following a Delhi High Court order permitting authorities to intervene if his health deteriorated.
When does the Monsoon Session of Parliament run?
The Monsoon Session commenced on 20 July and is scheduled to conclude on 13 August, with a total of 19 sittings over four weeks. The NEET-UG controversy is expected to be raised on the floor of both Houses during the session.
Which Delhi Metro stations were closed and which reopened?
Gates at Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Seva Teerth were shut initially. The DMRC subsequently confirmed that interchange facilities and gates at Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat had been reopened, with the remaining stations continuing under restrictions until further notice.
