Security remained on high alert at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Thursday, a day after fresh clashes erupted during the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). A large police presence continued at the protest site, while authorities kept 16 Delhi Metro stations closed as a precautionary measure.

According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), services at 16 metro stations were suspended from 7:30 am until further notice. The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Supreme Court. The same stations had also remained closed on Wednesday.

CJP Alleges Police Parked Damaged Vehicle Near Protest Site

Early on Thursday, the CJP accused the Delhi Police of placing a heavily damaged car outside the protest venue. Sharing images of the vehicle, which had shattered windows and a broken windshield, the party questioned the motive behind its presence.

“Everyone should remember this car has been brought here in this condition - important to record before they can blame it on peaceful protesters,” the CJP said.

Clashes Erupted on Sansad Marg

Although the protest at Jantar Mantar remained mostly peaceful on Wednesday, violence broke out on the nearby Sansad Marg stretch. The confrontation began after some protesters moved onto the road, leading security personnel to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

In response, some protesters allegedly threw stones at police personnel and chased them along Connaught Place's main radial road.

Delhi Police said at least five officers were injured during the clashes. The injured included two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), one inspector, one head constable and one constable.

CJP Questions Internet Shutdown

The CJP also alleged that internet services around Jantar Mantar had been suspended and questioned whether authorities were preparing for another police action against protesters.

“Internet service shutdown at Jantar Mantar. Govt planning another brutal crackdown?” CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke wrote in a post on X.

In another post, Dipke appealed to police and paramilitary personnel, urging them not to “obey illegal orders that ask you to beat up innocent protesters.”

Protest Leaders Reiterate Demand for Minister's Resignation

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the group's demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains unchanged and is not open to negotiation.

Das said he had spoken several times with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently on an indefinite hunger strike and is admitted to Medanta Hospital.

According to Das, both sides agreed that the protest should continue peacefully and in an organised manner.

“Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is non-negotiable. Without this, the protest will continue,” Das said.

Sonam Wangchuk Claims Government Gave Positive Assurance

On Wednesday, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk claimed that Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him and assured him that the government would "positively consider" holding a discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability over paper leak cases, including the demand for the education minister's resignation.

Wangchuk also said the government had assured that it would consider providing adequate compensation to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy.

However, he made it clear that he would end his hunger strike only after receiving an "unequivocal assurance" that students and protesters involved in the anti-NEET movement would not face any punitive or retaliatory legal action.

Opposition Demands Resignation Before Parliament Debate

While the government maintained that it was ready to discuss paper leak issues in Parliament, the Opposition insisted that any debate could only take place after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down.

“There will be no discussion on the issue till the education minister resigns…It cannot be a fair discussion till he resigns,” Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Meanwhile, Opposition MPs staged a protest inside the Parliament complex wearing black clothes. According to people familiar with the matter, the government accused the Opposition of politicising the student protests and changing its demands, while maintaining that its doors for dialogue with protest leaders remained “always open.”