The three-day Mobileacc Expo 2026, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), will conclude on Sunday, August 30, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The exhibition is being held across Halls 8, 9 and 10 as a platform focused on the mobile and related technology sectors.

The expo has brought together industry participants and stakeholders under one roof, providing an opportunity to showcase products, technologies and developments associated with the mobile ecosystem. The event is being conducted by ITPO, a Government of India enterprise involved in organising and promoting trade exhibitions and business events.

Expo at Bharat Mandapam

Mobileacc Expo 2026 is being hosted at Bharat Mandapam, one of New Delhi's major venues for international and national exhibitions, conferences and trade events. The use of Halls 8, 9 and 10 provides space for exhibitors and visitors participating in the three-day programme.

The exhibition began on August 28 and is scheduled to conclude on August 30, bringing the current edition to an end after three days of industry-focused activities.

Focus on Mobile Sector

The expo provides a platform for businesses and industry stakeholders connected with the mobile sector to present their offerings and engage with potential partners and customers.

Such exhibitions also allow visitors to gain exposure to emerging products and technologies while giving participating companies an opportunity to interact directly with industry representatives.

ITPO Organises Event

The event has been organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

ITPO regularly facilitates trade promotion through exhibitions, fairs, conferences and other business events. Its exhibitions provide participating companies with opportunities for networking, product promotion and market outreach.

Final Day Today

With the three-day event scheduled to conclude on August 30, Sunday marks the final opportunity for visitors and industry participants to attend Mobileacc Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.

The conclusion of the expo will bring the three-day exhibition to a close after its programme across Halls 8, 9 and 10.

Event: Mobileacc Expo 2026
Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Halls: 8, 9 and 10
Organiser: India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO)
Dates: August 28–30, 2026
Final Day: August 30, 2026

The possible September visit would be Xi Jinping’s first trip to India in seven years and comes as New Delhi and Beijing work to stabilise ties after the 2020 border crisis.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, with around 400 Chinese officials expected to accompany him, according to people familiar with preparations. If confirmed, it would be Xi's first visit to India in seven years and a potentially important step in the gradual thaw in relations between the two Asian powers. 

The visit has not yet been officially confirmed by Beijing. China's Foreign Ministry has said it attaches importance to BRICS cooperation and supports India's role as host, but has not provided details of Xi's travel plans. Reuters reported that Chinese officials were working on arrangements including hotel bookings and security preparations in New Delhi. 

The possible visit comes at a particularly important point in India-China relations. Both countries have sought to maintain dialogue after years of military tensions along their disputed Himalayan border, while differences over the boundary and broader strategic issues remain unresolved.

Why Xi's India Visit Matters

Xi's possible arrival in New Delhi would be significant beyond the BRICS agenda. It would provide an opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chinese president to hold direct discussions on bilateral ties, including the border situation, trade and other areas where the relationship has remained difficult.

The two leaders last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Xi's potential return to India would come seven years after his previous visit to the country, when he travelled to India in 2019 for the second informal summit with Modi.

The proposed delegation of about 400 officials would also be considerably larger than the fewer than 200 officials who accompanied Xi during his 2019 India visit, according to sources cited by Reuters. 

Border Issue Still Central

The improvement in diplomatic engagement does not mean the core differences have disappeared.

Relations deteriorated sharply after the deadly 2020 confrontation in eastern Ladakh, which led to a prolonged military standoff and a significant increase in troops and infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control.

Although the two sides reached a disengagement arrangement in October 2024 and subsequently stepped up diplomatic contacts, the boundary dispute remains the biggest strategic issue in the relationship.

That issue is again at the centre of high-level talks on Tuesday, August 25, when National Security Adviser Ajit Dovaland Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are scheduled to hold the 25th round of India-China Special Representatives talks in Beijing. China has officially confirmed the meeting, saying the discussions will cover the boundary question as well as bilateral, regional and international issues. 

The Special Representatives mechanism was established in 2003 to address the long-standing boundary dispute and provide a channel for political-level dialogue.

Doval-Wang Talks Before BRICS

Doval's Beijing visit is therefore significant in the run-up to the possible Xi visit.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the two sides would continue communication in the spirit of understandings reached by their leaders, with the aim of maintaining peace and tranquillity in border areas. 

India has repeatedly maintained that peace and tranquillity along the border are essential for the broader relationship to move forward. The outcome of the latest talks could consequently provide an indication of the diplomatic environment ahead of the BRICS summit.

BRICS Connects to Bhopal

India's BRICS chairship has already brought the grouping's activities to Bhopal, providing Madhya Pradesh with a direct connection to this year's BRICS process.

The BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting was held in Bhopal in August, following three meetings of the BRICS Culture Working Group under India's chairship. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the Bhopal Declaration, focused on strengthening cultural cooperation among BRICS members and partner countries. 

Xi's possible New Delhi visit would now place the diplomatic dimension of India's BRICS chairship in sharper focus, particularly given the parallel effort by India and China to manage their bilateral differences.

What Happens Next

For now, Xi's participation remains unconfirmed. The Chinese president's attendance is expected to become clearer as preparations for the September 12-13 summit progress.

If he does travel to New Delhi, the visit could provide Modi and Xi with another opportunity to discuss how to consolidate the recent stabilisation in ties while keeping the unresolved border dispute from derailing broader engagement.

The immediate focus, however, will be on the Doval-Wang talks in Beijing and whether the two sides can maintain peace along the border as they prepare for a potentially important Modi-Xi interaction in New Delhi.

The BRICS Think Tank Network for Finance (BTTNF) will hold its second major meeting on August 25, 2026, as part of activities being organised under India’s BRICS Chairship. The meeting will bring together experts and researchers to deliberate on financial and economic issues relevant to BRICS countries.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi at the India Habitat Centre, according to the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), which has listed the event for August 25. (RIS)

Focus on Financial Cooperation

The BTTNF provides a platform for financial research institutions, experts and policymakers from BRICS countries to exchange views on major issues affecting the global financial system. Its areas of work include regulatory frameworks, capital markets, digital finance, risk management and sustainable investment strategies. (BRICS Think Tanks Council)

The network is intended to support evidence-based policy discussions and collaborative research, with the broader objective of strengthening financial cooperation among BRICS economies.

India’s BRICS 2026 Priorities

The meeting comes as India advances its agenda as chair of BRICS 2026, with the official BRICS programme focusing on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. (BRICS 2026)

Financial cooperation has emerged as an important area within the BRICS framework. Previous BRICS discussions have highlighted the need to improve cross-border payments, expand local-currency financing, mobilise private capital and strengthen financial mechanisms for sustainable development.

The 2025 BRICS Rio de Janeiro Declaration also recognised the contribution of the Think Tank Network for Finance in promoting collaboration among academia, policymakers and researchers. (Press Information Bureau)

Debate on Global Finance

The August 25 meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to examine challenges facing emerging and developing economies, including access to capital, investment mobilisation and financial stability.

The discussions assume significance at a time when BRICS members are exploring ways to deepen financial integration and improve mechanisms for trade and investment. BRICS countries have also been discussing cross-border payment systems and greater interoperability among national payment infrastructures.

For India, strengthening such cooperation is closely linked to its broader objective of giving developing economies a greater role in international economic and financial decision-making.

Private Capital and Investment

Mobilising private capital is another major issue within the BRICS financial agenda. Finance Ministers from BRICS countries have recently discussed the importance of creating stable and predictable frameworks capable of attracting sustained private investment.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had stressed earlier this month that BRICS economies need stronger frameworks to mobilise private capital at scale, while highlighting the role of multilateral development banks in reducing investment risks and improving project viability. (India Gazette)

The Think Tank Network can contribute to this process by bringing research institutions and financial experts into discussions on policy options and long-term economic strategies.

Building Research-Based Cooperation

The August 25 meeting is expected to strengthen the research and policy dimension of India’s BRICS Chairship. Rather than being limited to government-level discussions, the think tank mechanism provides space for experts to examine financial challenges and develop recommendations that can inform future cooperation.

As India prepares to host the BRICS Summit later this year, meetings such as the BTTNF conference are likely to form part of the wider programme of consultations leading up to the leaders’ summit.

The meeting will therefore be closely watched for discussions on financial cooperation, investment, digital finance and the evolving role of BRICS in the global economic system.

Madhya Pradesh will have two government teachers among the recipients of the National Teacher Award 2026, with Dr Archana Shukla from Bhopal and Shailendra Pratap Singh from Sidhi selected for the national honour. The two teachers will be felicitated in New Delhi on September 5 on the occasion of Teachers' Day. Their selection recognises their contribution to school education and gives representation to government-school teachers from two different parts of the state at the national level.

Dr Archana Shukla has been selected from Bhopal. She teaches at Sandipani Vidyalaya Mahatma Gandhi and is associated with higher secondary-level education. Her selection for the national award marks recognition for a teacher serving in the state capital's government-school education system. From Sidhi district, Shailendra Pratap Singh, a secondary teacher at Government Middle School Kanjwar, has also been selected. The inclusion of both teachers places Madhya Pradesh among the states represented in the National Teacher Award 2026 and is expected to bring attention to their respective schools and districts.

Teachers to Be Honoured in Delhi

The National Teacher Award is presented to teachers for notable contributions to education and school-level teaching. The award ceremony for the 2026 selections will be held in New Delhi on September 5, Teachers' Day. The recognition is significant for government-school educators because the selection highlights work carried out within the public education system and provides a national platform to teachers working directly with students.

Madhya Pradesh is not the only state from the region to have representation among the selected teachers. According to the information provided, Chhattisgarh has also been represented in the National Teacher Award 2026 list, with Sunita Yadav, a teacher at Government School MS Khichari, selected for the honour. The selection of teachers from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh adds a regional dimension to this year's national recognition of educators.

For Madhya Pradesh, the selection of Archana Shukla and Shailendra Pratap Singh comes ahead of Teachers' Day celebrations across the state. Their names are expected to be highlighted by their respective schools and districts as the teachers prepare to receive the national honour in Delhi. Further details about their specific achievements and the selection criteria were not included in the supplied information.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Saturday chaired the first meeting of the party’s newly appointed national office-bearers at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, setting the stage for the organisation’s preparations for upcoming electoral contests. The meeting brought together the new national team announced earlier this week and focused on poll strategy, grassroots mobilisation and strengthening the party’s outreach to voters. Before the discussions began, all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram were recited at the party headquarters. 

The meeting comes shortly after the BJP announced a 65-member national office-bearers team under Nabin. The new organisational setup combines experienced leaders with several new faces and includes the return of leaders such as Smriti Irani and Ram Madhav to key national roles. Piyush Goyal has also been retained as the party’s national treasurer. The BJP’s reshuffle is being viewed as an organisational exercise aimed at preparing the party for the assembly elections scheduled in several states next year, while also strengthening its wider organisational network ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. 

Focus on Poll Preparations

Party sources said the inaugural meeting would focus on preparations for forthcoming state assembly elections, grassroots mobilisation and communicating government initiatives to people. The BJP’s new national team is expected to work on strengthening coordination between the central organisation and state units, while expanding outreach among different sections of the electorate. The party is also preparing for a series of political and organisational programmes in the months ahead. 

The timing of the meeting is significant as the BJP begins work under a newly structured national organisation led by Nabin. The party announced his new team earlier this week, with the composition reflecting an effort to combine organisational experience with younger leadership. The new office-bearers will have responsibilities extending across states and different organisational wings, with the leadership expected to translate the party’s national priorities into grassroots campaigns. 

Vande Mataram Recitation

The meeting began with the complete recitation of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, adding a symbolic element to Nabin’s first interaction with his newly appointed national office-bearers. Visuals from the BJP headquarters showed the national team gathered ahead of the meeting, with the recitation taking place before organisational discussions commenced. 

The first meeting marks the beginning of the new team’s formal organisational work. With several assembly elections approaching, the BJP leadership is expected to use the coming months to sharpen its election strategy, strengthen booth-level and grassroots networks and improve communication of government initiatives. The party’s organisational preparations will also be closely watched in states such as Uttar Pradesh, where the 2027 assembly election is expected to be a major political contest. 

Parliament’s Monsoon Session concluded on August 13 with the Lok Sabha recording its lowest productivity since 2016, even as both Houses passed 11 Bills amid repeated disruptions.

According to data from PRS Legislative Research, the Lok Sabha functioned at just 15% of its scheduled time, matching its lowest productivity recorded during the Winter Session of 2016. The Rajya Sabha recorded productivity of 33%, its lowest since the Budget Session of 2023, when productivity stood at 24%.

Session Ends Amid Disruptions

The Monsoon Session was marked by repeated disruptions, which significantly reduced the time available for legislative and parliamentary business.

Despite the disruptions, Parliament managed to pass 11 Bills before the session concluded on August 13.

The legislative output, however, came alongside concerns over the limited opportunity for detailed debate on several pieces of legislation.

Nine Bills Passed Without Debate

One of the notable features of the session was that nine of the 11 Bills passed by Parliament did not have any MP speaking on them.

The development has raised questions about the extent of parliamentary scrutiny of legislation during a session in which disruptions substantially curtailed the functioning of both Houses.

While Bills were taken up and cleared, the limited participation in debates meant that several pieces of legislation moved through the legislative process without recorded interventions from individual MPs.

Lok Sabha Productivity at 15%

The Lok Sabha's productivity stood at 15%, according to PRS Legislative Research data.

This figure equals the lowest productivity recorded by the Lower House since 2016. The disruptions meant that a large portion of the scheduled parliamentary time could not be utilised for debates, discussions and other listed business.

The figure highlights the impact of repeated adjournments and interruptions during the session.

Rajya Sabha Records 33%

The Rajya Sabha recorded productivity of 33% during the Monsoon Session.

Although higher than the Lok Sabha's figure, this was the Upper House's lowest productivity since the Budget Session of 2023, when it recorded productivity of 24%.

The two Houses therefore ended the session with substantial portions of their scheduled working time lost.

11 Bills Cleared

Despite the limited functioning, Parliament passed 11 Bills during the session.

The legislative business demonstrated that the government was able to move several proposals through both Houses even as disruptions affected the overall functioning of Parliament.

However, the fact that nine Bills were passed without any MP speaking on them has drawn attention to the difference between legislative output and parliamentary debate.

Debate Remains a Concern

Parliamentary productivity is generally assessed not only by the number of Bills passed but also by the time spent on debates, discussions, questions and scrutiny of government business.

The Monsoon Session's figures therefore present a mixed picture: 11 Bills were passed, but the Houses operated for only a fraction of their scheduled time.

The low productivity also comes amid continuing concerns over disruptions and the loss of opportunities for MPs to raise issues of public importance.

Session Concludes on August 13

The Monsoon Session formally concluded on August 13, 2026, bringing to an end a session heavily affected by disruptions.

The productivity figures released by PRS Legislative Research provide a measure of the scale of the impact. While legislative business continued, the low utilisation of scheduled parliamentary time and limited debate on several Bills remain key features of the session.

The figures are likely to renew discussions over the functioning of Parliament, the role of debate in the legislative process and the need to ensure that disruptions do not prevent MPs from effectively scrutinising legislation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India to be “memorable”, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said as uncertainty continues over the visit amid fresh tensions between New Delhi and Dhaka. Rahman is expected to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS summit on September 12-13, but the proposed visit comes against the backdrop of Bangladesh’s demand for the extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in India.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka for Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting Confederation of Indian Industry delegation, Trivedi said Modi had conveyed that the two leaders should meet. He also said the Indian prime minister had assured that Rahman would receive an appropriate welcome when he visits India. “We need to meet,” Trivedi said, referring to Modi’s message, while stressing that stronger engagement between the two leaders could ultimately benefit people and businesses on both sides of the border. The envoy also called for the two countries to address their past differences without allowing them to hold back future cooperation. According to him, disagreements are natural between vibrant democracies and should be dealt with through dialogue rather than allowing relations to become stagnant.

The remarks come at a particularly sensitive point in India-Bangladesh relations. Dhaka has been seeking Hasina’s extradition from India since she fled the country following violent student-led protests in August 2024. Tensions increased again after Hasina took part in a virtual media interaction from New Delhi on August 5, prompting a strong reaction from Bangladesh. Dhaka said the event had hurt public sentiment and could affect efforts to improve relations. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said it had no role in the event and does not endorse statements made there about the Bangladesh government. Bangladesh has also sought Hasina’s extradition after she was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal in November 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity during the crackdown on protesters. New Delhi has said the request is being examined under applicable law and established legal procedures.

Trivedi, meanwhile, placed emphasis on what he described as the need to look towards a “new Bangladesh”, particularly its younger population. He said India wanted to work with Bangladesh to create more opportunities for its youth, arguing that the two countries share history, culture and aspirations beyond their common border. He also highlighted the role of businesses in rebuilding trust, with the CII delegation in Dhaka exploring possibilities for greater trade, investment and industrial cooperation. The envoy said private companies could help create employment and economic opportunities while also strengthening people-to-people connections.

For New Delhi, the proposed Rahman visit could provide an opportunity for direct political engagement at a time when several issues remain unresolved. Trivedi stressed that mutual and unconditional trust would be necessary for a durable relationship and referred to India’s Neighbourhood First policy. Whether the September visit goes ahead as proposed, and what discussions take place if it does, will likely depend on how the two sides manage the continuing disagreements over Hasina and other bilateral concerns. For now, the Indian envoy’s comments signal that New Delhi remains interested in keeping the door open for high-level engagement with Dhaka.

India is set to host the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026 at the Thyagraj Stadium in New Delhi from July 27 to August 2, with players from more than 25 countries competing across team and individual events. Returning after a seven-year gap, the tournament marks a significant moment for Indian table tennis, especially after the country's historic clean sweep of all seven gold medals at the previous edition in 2019.

The championship is being staged alongside the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where table tennis is not part of the sports programme, making the New Delhi event the premier Commonwealth competition for the sport this year.

India banking on experienced stars

India's squad features a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent. Four Olympians—Sreeja Akula, G Sathiyan, Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai—will lead the challenge on home soil.

The men's team will also feature Manush Shah, currently ranked World No. 2 in men's doubles alongside Manav Thakkar in the ITTF rankings. Thakkar enters the tournament as India's highest-ranked men's singles player at World No. 38, while Shah is close behind at World No. 40.

Defending men's singles champion Harmeet Desai will look to retain the title he won at the 2019 championships in Cuttack.

Manika Batra misses out

One of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament is the absence of Manika Batra, India's highest-ranked women's singles player and one of the country's most decorated Commonwealth table tennis athletes.

Batra, who has won four Commonwealth Championship gold medals, has not been included in the Indian squad.

However, the women's team remains strong with Sreeja Akula, Syndrela Das, Yashaswini Ghorpade, Sutirtha Mukherjee and Swastika Ghosh expected to shoulder India's medal hopes.

Several champions return

Six members of India's historic 2019 gold-winning contingent are back for another campaign. Manav Thakkar, Manush Shah, G Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Sreeja Akula and Sutirtha Mukherjee were all part of the squad that achieved the unprecedented clean sweep in Cuttack.

India became only the third nation in the tournament's history to win all seven gold medals in a single edition. Earlier, England accomplished the feat in the first three editions (1971, 1973 and 1975), while Hong Kong China did so in 1983.

Strong international competition

Despite enjoying home advantage, India is expected to face stiff competition from several Commonwealth nations.

England's challenge will be led by experienced internationals Sam Walker, Tin-Tin Ho and Maria Tsaptsinos, while Australia has named Olympians Nicholas Lum and Minhyung Jee in its squad.

The championship will feature competitions in men's team, women's team, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

Where to watch

Fans in India can watch the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026 through live streaming on the Freedom Global Sports Network Pro YouTube channel. There will be no live television broadcast of the tournament in India.

With a strong home contingent, experienced champions and rising stars in the mix, India will be aiming to begin the tournament with another dominant performance and add to its rich legacy in Commonwealth table tennis.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, raising questions over the alleged use of pellet guns and force against students during recent protests linked to the NEET paper leak issue. The letter comes a day after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ended its 37-day protest at Jantar Mantar following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Rahul Seeks Answers on Crowd Control

In his letter, Rahul Gandhi asked two questions to the Home Minister. He sought to know who ordered the use of pellet guns against student protesters, and if the order did not come from the Home Ministry, then who authorised it.

He also questioned the deployment of individuals in plain clothes during the protest, asking whether they were police personnel or volunteers and under whose authority they were assigned.

Rahul alleged that instead of engaging with students, security forces resorted to lathi-charge and tear gas. He claimed several protesters suffered serious injuries and alleged that excessive force was used during the crackdown.

Injured Student's Case Raised

The Congress leader referred to the case of 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who allegedly lost vision in one eye during the protest. Rahul said the incident reflected the need for accountability and reiterated his demand for an independent inquiry into the handling of the demonstrations.

Earlier this week, Rahul had also addressed a press conference alongside an injured student, accusing the government of suppressing peaceful protests and demanding responsibility for the violence.

CJP Submits Education Reform Proposals

Following the end of its protest, a delegation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) met BJP national president J.P. Nadda and submitted a five-point proposal aimed at strengthening the examination system.

Among its key recommendations were:

• A minimum 10-year prison sentence for those convicted in paper leak cases.

• Confiscation of the properties of those found guilty.

• Establishment of a new independent National Testing Commission.

• Greater autonomy and transparency in recruitment and examination bodies.

• Structural reforms to improve accountability in competitive examinations.

Protest Ends After Minister's Resignation

The CJP had been protesting at Delhi's Jantar Mantar since 20 June, demanding the resignation of the Education Minister over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process.

The protest concluded on Saturday after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from his ministerial post. The organisation described the resignation as a victory for students while stating that its broader campaign for examination reforms would continue.

The resignation has triggered political reactions across party lines, with the ruling BJP describing it as an example of accountability, while opposition parties have termed it a result of sustained public and student pressure.

As news of Pradhan's resignation reached the protest site, supporters erupted in celebration. Protesters chanted "Student Unity Zindabad," embraced one another, and hailed the resignation as a significant victory for the movement.

CJP founder Abhijeet Deepke addressed the gathering, claiming the protest had achieved its first major objective. "People said ministers in this government never resign. We made it happen," he told supporters.

Using a popular slogan, Deepke remarked, "Democracy has awakened," adding that the resignation represented only the "first wicket" and that the agitation would continue until the remaining demands were fulfilled.

Government-CJP Talks Continue

Even as celebrations continued at Jantar Mantar, representatives of the government and the CJP met at the Constitution Club in New Delhi for another round of negotiations.

The government's delegation included Union Minister JP Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and senior officials, while the CJP was represented by its leadership, including Ashutosh Ranka and other members. The discussions focused on the protesters' remaining demands following the Education Minister's resignation.

This marks the third formal round of talks between the two sides within five days, indicating ongoing efforts to find a negotiated resolution to the student-led movement.

Deepke Says Movement Will Continue

Addressing supporters from the protest stage, Deepke emphasized that the resignation alone would not end the agitation.

He said the movement still had two key demands pending and asserted that protesters would remain at Jantar Mantar until those demands were addressed. He also reiterated that the campaign was aimed at securing accountability and broader reforms rather than a single political outcome.

Despite reportedly suffering from typhoid and appearing on stage with a medical cannula attached to his hand, Deepke continued to address supporters and participate in the protest.

Five Days of Escalating Protests

The demonstrations have intensified over the past week, leading to repeated engagements between the protesters and the government.

• July 20: CJP organized a march to Parliament, during which clashes with police left several protesters injured.
• July 21: Protest leaders demanded that the government come to Jantar Mantar for direct talks.
• July 22: Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said he would end his fast if meaningful assurances were received from the government.
• July 23: CJP reiterated its demand for direct negotiations at the protest site.
• July 24: A second round of talks was held between government representatives and CJP leaders, after which Wangchuk ended his hunger strike.
• July 25: Following reports of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, protesters celebrated while another round of negotiations began at the Constitution Club.

What Happens Next

While the resignation of the Education Minister marks a significant political development, the protest movement has indicated that it will continue until its remaining demands are addressed. The outcome of the ongoing discussions between the government and CJP is expected to determine the next phase of the agitation.

During the demonstration, the lawyers criticised the reported police action on students participating in the Parliament march. They said the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic principle and voiced support for students who were allegedly affected during the protest.

As part of the gathering, the lawyers collectively recited the Preamble to the Constitution, describing it as a reaffirmation of the country's constitutional values, including justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

'Save Democracy' Slogans Raised

The protesters raised slogans such as "Save Democracy" while expressing concern over the reported crackdown on demonstrators. They maintained that democratic institutions must safeguard citizens' constitutional rights, including the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

The lawyers also called for accountability and urged the authorities to uphold constitutional principles while dealing with public demonstrations.

Peaceful Protest

The protest remained peaceful, with participants gathering near the Supreme Court premises to voice their concerns. No untoward incidents were reported during the demonstration.

The protest comes amid wider reactions from student groups, civil society organisations and legal professionals over the handling of demonstrations linked to the Parliament march in Delhi.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the alleged police action against students during the recent protest at Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The matter came up before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, who refused the request for an immediate listing and made strong remarks while hearing the petitioner's counsel.

During the brief exchange in court, the petitioner's lawyer argued that students had raised significant concerns regarding the conduct of the NEET examination and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The counsel requested that the case be listed urgently, citing alleged police excesses during the July 20 protest march and referring to video footage of the incident.

However, the Chief Justice declined to consider the request. Responding to repeated references to video evidence, CJI Surya Kant said, “We are not interested in watching the videos. We don't have time to watch them. We don't want to watch the videos.” When the lawyer again pressed the issue, the CJI remarked, “Don't waste our time.”

Protest Triggered Clashes

The plea stems from the events of 20 July, when the Cockroach Janata Party organised a march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament over the alleged NEET paper leak and other education-related issues. During the march, clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and Delhi Police at multiple locations after security personnel attempted to stop the rally from moving toward Parliament.

Police resorted to baton charges to disperse sections of the crowd. According to official figures, more than 100 protesters and police personnel sustained injuries during the violence. The incident has since become the subject of political debate, legal petitions, and public criticism.

Similar Plea Earlier Rejected

Before approaching the Supreme Court, petitioners had moved the Delhi High Court seeking urgent intervention. The High Court, however, also declined to immediately hear the matter, observing that the court should not be drawn into ongoing political developments.

Despite the setback in both courts, those challenging the police action continue to seek judicial scrutiny into the events surrounding the protest and the alleged use of force against demonstrators.

Bar Association Seeks Probe

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has called for an independent inquiry into the alleged lathi-charge on student protesters.

In a statement, the association expressed concern over reports that several students suffered serious injuries during the demonstration. It urged authorities to conduct a fair investigation into the circumstances under which force was used and whether standard operating procedures were followed.

Political Tensions Continue

The protest has also triggered sharp political reactions. Opposition parties have criticised the government's handling of the demonstration and demanded accountability for the alleged police action. The issue has disrupted proceedings during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, where opposition members have repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of student protesters and sought discussions on the NEET controversy.

The Centre, meanwhile, has maintained that law enforcement agencies acted to preserve public order and prevent protesters from breaching security restrictions near Parliament.

Background of the CJP Movement

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) emerged in May after remarks attributed to CJI Surya Kant referring to some youths as "wandering like cockroaches" generated widespread discussion online. The movement quickly gained traction on social media, attracting a large following and positioning itself around issues related to education reforms and accountability.

In recent weeks, the organisation has intensified its campaign by staging demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.

With the Supreme Court declining an urgent hearing and political tensions continuing both inside and outside Parliament, the legal and public debate over the July 20 protest is expected to remain in focus in the coming days.