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.