Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke accused the Centre of using talks with protesters as a tactic to weaken the movement, alleging the delegation was deliberately delayed while police cracked down on demonstrators. Speaking at Jantar Mantar as the NEET paper leak protest entered its 32nd day, Dipke claimed CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were effectively confined for hours at Union minister JP Nadda’s residence after surrendering their mobile phones. He alleged the delay was intended to scatter the protest leadership during the police action. The Centre has not responded to the allegations, while maintaining it remains open to dialogue with protesters. (PC: Times Now)

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge led a march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence over the NEET paper leak and the alleged crackdown on student protesters before police detained the demonstrators. Rahul Gandhi was dragged away after refusing to leave the protest site, while talks between him and Union Minister Jitendra Singh failed to break the deadlock. Congress demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and a discussion on paper leaks in Parliament, while the government said it was willing to debate the issue but rejected additional demands. The protest followed the previous day’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation in Delhi.

The Kremlin said Russia remains in contact with India after New Delhi strongly protested a Russian strike on the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which killed four Indian crew members and critically injured another. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia would continue targeting vessels allegedly transporting military supplies for Ukraine. India summoned Russia’s Charge d’Affaires, conveying its grave concern and unequivocal condemnation of the attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial ship navigating Ukraine’s maritime corridor. The Ministry of External Affairs said targeting civilian shipping and endangering innocent crew members is unacceptable, reiterating that commercial vessels and freedom of navigation must be protected during armed conflicts and maritime operations. (PC: News 18)

Singer Arijit Singh has voiced support for students protesting in Delhi and criticised the alleged police action during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. In a series of posts on X, he wrote, “Aren’t you ashamed?” while questioning the use of force against students. He also urged political leaders to be accountable, saying the events would be remembered. The CJP-led protest has continued for more than 2 weeks over alleged irregularities in the education sector, including the NEET paper leak. Several celebrities, including Hrithik Roshan, Diljit Dosanjh and Dia Mirza, have also expressed support for the student movement. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has announced a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian imports, citing what he called unfair treatment of American cars, dairy products and alcohol. The new duties, which take effect in 30 days, cover goods including wine, hockey sticks and cement, while energy, potash, critical minerals and fish are exempt. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticised the move, saying it violates the USMCA trade agreement, and pledged to intensify trade negotiations with Washington. The latest decision escalates trade tensions between the two neighbours, with both countries already imposing tariffs on several products.

Government sources criticised the Congress after senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, led a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The sources described the demonstration as a security threat and said protests targeting political leaders’ residences set a dangerous precedent that is not seen in mature democracies. Congress leaders were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and action over the police crackdown on students. Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and several other opposition leaders during the protest. (PC: India Today)

Hundreds of people who took part in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination in Mumbai have received police notices on WhatsApp, asking them to appear before investigating officers. The notices were sent a day after police detained and later released protesters during demonstrations supporting CJP and activist Sonam Wangchuk. Student organisations claimed the notices were issued on an unprecedented scale and described the move as an attempt to intimidate young protesters. Mumbai Police said the notices were issued under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows appearance before investigators instead of arrest. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Centre informed the Rajya Sabha that 59 India-linked ships have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran conflict began in March. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said 23 Indian-flagged and 36 foreign-flagged vessels carrying cargo for India completed the transit by 17 July. However, 6 Indian-flagged ships remain on the western side of the strait, including 2 container vessels and 4 operating within the Gulf. The government said it is coordinating with the Ministries of External Affairs, Defence and Petroleum, along with the Indian Navy, to ensure the safe movement of Indian vessels amid renewed regional tensions. (PC: The Print)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained as police moved to clear the protest site. The Opposition demonstration followed Monday's clashes during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Chalo Sansad' march over the alleged NEET paper leak. Congress demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a discussion on the issue in Parliament. Meanwhile, the CJP announced a sit-in outside Delhi Police headquarters, alleging the unlawful detention of peaceful protesters. (PC: India Today)

Popular content creator Ramit Verma, known online as "PeeingHuman", revealed his face for the first time in 11 years after suffering a head injury during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest in Delhi. Videos shared online showed Verma bleeding from his head following the clash. He alleged that he was struck by police during the "Chalo Sansad" march. Despite his injuries, Verma later returned to the protest site and spoke about the incident. The protest, organised over the alleged NEET exam irregularities, turned violent after police dispersed demonstrators using tear gas and batons. (PC: HT)