Social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday extended his support to students protesting over alleged examination irregularities by beginning a silent protest in Maharashtra's Ahilya Nagar. The veteran activist also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging attention to the concerns being raised by students across the country.

Hazare's intervention comes as protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak and demands for accountability in the education system. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) on Friday seeking action over the prolonged protest, claiming it has severely disrupted normal life in the national capital.

Anna Hazare Extends Support

Anna Hazare, known for leading several public movements, observed a silent fast in Ahilya Nagar in solidarity with protesting students.

According to people associated with the protest, Hazare believes the concerns of students deserve immediate attention from the country's leadership. In his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he stated that as the nation's highest elected leader, it was important for the government to directly address public grievances and restore students' confidence in the education system.

His support has added a new dimension to the ongoing nationwide debate surrounding examination transparency and accountability.

Delhi High Court to Hear Petition

The Delhi High Court will hear a PIL on Friday challenging the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar.

The petitioner has argued that the prolonged demonstrations have disrupted daily life in the capital, with several roads remaining closed and commuters facing significant inconvenience. The plea seeks appropriate directions regarding the continuation of the protest while balancing citizens' right to free movement.

The matter is expected to be heard by a Bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya.

Protest Continues at Jantar Mantar

Thousands of protesters gathered once again at Jantar Mantar on Thursday as the CJP-led agitation entered its 32nd day.

Demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and stricter action against those responsible for examination paper leaks.

The protest site witnessed heavy police deployment to maintain law and order as large crowds assembled throughout the day.

Volunteers arranged food, drinking water and tea for protesters, while sanitation teams collected garbage from the demonstration site to maintain cleanliness.

Fresh Allegations Surface

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that individuals associated with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had infiltrated the protest and were attempting to provoke violence by pelting stones at demonstrators.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate official response from the BJP regarding the claims.

Earlier this week, protests witnessed clashes between demonstrators and police, leaving several people, including security personnel, injured.

Timeline of the Protest

The agitation has witnessed several significant developments over the past three days.

On July 20, thousands of protesters marched towards Parliament demanding action over the alleged paper leak, following which clashes broke out between police and demonstrators during the "Sansad Chalo" march.

On July 21, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated that the protest would continue until the government initiated direct dialogue with student representatives and accepted their key demands.

On July 22, environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said he was prepared to end his hunger strike if the government assured that no punitive action would be taken against students participating in peaceful protests.

Political Heat Intensifies

The alleged NEET paper leak has evolved into a major political issue, with opposition parties repeatedly targeting the Centre over examination irregularities and demanding greater accountability.

The government, however, has maintained that investigations are underway and has announced fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases.

The continuing protests, legal proceedings and political exchanges indicate that the controversy is likely to remain at the centre of public debate in the coming weeks. With the Delhi High Court set to hear the matter and student groups refusing to withdraw their agitation, all eyes will be on the government's next steps and the court's observations.