Delhi University Issues "Stay Away From Jantar Mantar" Advisory To Students
Delhi University Issues "Stay Away From Jantar Mantar" Advisory To Students
M.U.H
24/07/202632
The Delhi University on Thursday issued an official safety advisory, appealing to its students and faculty to refrain from taking part in unauthorised assemblies and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, as the protest over the NEET paper leak rages on in the national capital.
In a post on X, the University of Delhi (DU) told its students that any protest at Jantar Mantar are strictly regulated under the directives of the Supreme Court of India. Those participating in unlawful assemblies could face direct legal action by authorities and law enforcement bodies.
The university cited concerns of student and faculty safety as the reason for the advisory.
"Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action," the DU wrote in its statement on X.
It also warned that such legal actions could lead to academic consequences for students and impact professional opportunities.
"Such activities can also pose serious risks to students' personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities. Accordingly, all students are urged to stay away from Jantar Mantar and to prioritise their safety and compliance with the law," the DU said.
The administration also flagged a surge in fake news and urged students to exercise extreme caution before sharing or reacting to information.
"Furthermore, you are advised to exercise caution as a significant amount of fake and misleading content is being created and circulated to fuel the situation," it said.
The protests at Jantar Mantar come against the backdrop of the NEET paper leak, with the satirical political outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) first beginning demonstrations in the Delhi landmark. The protest took a turn on June 20, when students and thousands of other people held the 'Chalo Sansad' march, during which clashes broke out between them and the police.
The Opposition has now also joined the protests. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, along with INDIA bloc leaders on Thursday marched to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg in solidarity with students who died by suicide after the May 12 NEET-UG exam was cancelled following the paper leak, as well as the injured protesters of the June 20 demonstration.
Along with CJP, the Opposition, too, is now demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
(ndtv)New Delhi: A top bureaucrat has been removed from the Education ministry in a first big move by the government as students across the country demand accountability over paper leaks. Education Secretary Vineet Joshi has been replaced with Naresh Gangwar, an official government notification said late Thursday night.
Joshi, who became the Secretary in the Department of Higher Education in January 2025, has now been appointed as the Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Joshi's removal was part of a major reshuffle that included 13 appointments and four in-situ upgrades.
The reshuffle also saw TK Anil Kumar, additional secretary in the Department of Rural Development, being appointed as the secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy.
The government's move came amid massive protests by the satirical political outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition parties over exam paper leaks, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
A ruling party MP said that the Education Secretary was removed for showing apathy to the paper leak issue.
"Prime Minister Modi has replaced the Education Secretary for showing apathy regarding the paper leak issue. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for the paper leak, as well as those who displayed negligence or apathy. Modi's guarantee," said BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
In a late-night development, a fast-track court has also been formed to hear paper leak cases, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi assuring more strict action on Friday.
Who are Joshi and Gangwar?
A 1992-batch officer of the Manipur cadre, Joshi has previously served as the chief secretary of Manipur. He was also the first director-general of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts competitive exams like NEET and JEE.
Joshi has also served as the chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and additional secretary in the Ministry of Education. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).
Replacing him is Gangwar, a 1994-batch officer of the West Bengal cadre, currently the secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
The seasoned bureaucrat has served as the collector in several districts in Rajasthan, including Tonk, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, and Bharatpur. In 2014, he was appointed the secretary in the School Education Department in Rajasthan.
In 2020, he got his first central role, with him being appointed as joint secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Last August, he moved to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying as secretary.
He holds an MTech degree in communication and radar, besides an MA in economics.
PM Modi's Assurances
The administrative reshuffles came hours after PM Modi assured a fast-track court for swift disposal of paper leak cases and steps to safeguard students' interests.
In a late-night video statement, he promised that more action would follow on Friday in paper leak cases. A discussion will be held in the cabinet, and the government will try to pass a bill in Parliament in the next week, he added.
