The Immediate Trigger: NEET Paper Leak and Student Mobilisation
On July 25, Delhi Metro closed 17 central stations after student protesters demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan intensified their sit‑in following the death of protester Wangchuk. The closures underscore escalating tensions over the NEET admission controversy and broader grievances against the federal education policy, highlighting the growing politicization of student movements across India. Since the protests began, more than 15 demonstrators have been placed in preventive custody and the shutdown affects daily commutes of an estimated 1.2 million passengers.
- •Student Protests Over NEET Leak: Police Response Raises Internal Security Questions
Student Protests Over NEET Leak: Police Response Raises Internal Security Questions
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak sparked fresh demonstrations, most notably a rally in Hubballi where police placed around 15 protesters in preventive custody. Simultaneously, Delhi Metro shut 17 stations as students staged sit‑ins, while activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26‑day hunger strike after the Prime Minister announced fast‑track courts for the alleged perpetrators. The unrest has revived debate over the legal tools used to manage public order and the socioeconomic pressures fueling student agitation.
The leak of NEET question papers, followed by the tragic death of 21 aspirants, ignited a wave of protests across the capital and several tier‑two cities. In Hubballi, members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and local Congress leaders gathered in front of KMC‑RI Hospital, paying homage to the victims before confronting police barricades.
- ▸Around 15 protesters were taken into preventive custody in Hubballi.
- ▸Delhi Metro kept 17 stations closed amid the demonstrations.
- ▸The hunger strike by Sonam Wangchuk lasted 26 days before ending at Medanta Hospital.
- ▸The Hubballi rally occurred on Friday, 25 July 2026.
- ▸NSUI district president Saifulla Yaragatti and Youth Congress president Arjun Patil addressed the crowd.
The demonstrators demand accountability from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the government of “cowardice and wanton cruelty” for treating students as “enemies of the nation”.
Legal Framework Governing Public Order and Protest Management
India’s response
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