Delhi University Tells Students To Avoid Jantar Mantar Protests
Delhi University warns students to avoid unauthorised protests at Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak, citing legal risks and fake news concerns.
AC Team
Delhi University sent out a clear message this week. Stay away from Jantar Mantar. The advisory landed on X on Thursday, right as protests over the NEET paper leak kept growing in the capital.
If you have been following the news, you know Jantar Mantar has turned into a protest hotspot. Students, activists, and now even opposition leaders have been gathering there. DU decided it was time to draw a line and warn its own students before things get messy.
What The Advisory Actually Says
The university posted a statement explaining that any protest at Jantar Mantar falls under strict rules set by the Supreme Court of India. In simple terms, gathering there without permission counts as an unlawful assembly. And that comes with real consequences.
Here is the exact line DU used: "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."
That is not a gentle suggestion. That is a warning with teeth.
Why This Matters For Students
DU did not stop at legal risk. The university pointed out that getting caught up in these protests could hurt something students care about even more: their future. Academic records and job prospects can take a hit if legal action follows.
Think about it this way. A few hours at a protest might feel important in the moment, but a legal case attached to your name can follow you for years. DU wants students to weigh that trade-off before showing up at Jantar Mantar.
The Fake News Problem
Here is where the advisory gets extra practical. DU also called out the flood of fake and misleading content spreading online about the protests. The university asked students to slow down before sharing or reacting to anything they see.
This is good advice even outside protest season. Before you hit that share button, pause for a second. Check the source. Ask if it even makes sense. Misinformation spreads faster than facts, and once it is out there, it is hard to pull back.
How This Protest Started
To understand why DU felt the need to step in, you need the backstory. The protests trace back to the NEET paper leak controversy. The satirical group Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, kicked things off at Jantar Mantar. Things escalated on June 20 during the 'Chalo Sansad' march, when a huge crowd of students and supporters clashed with police.
The tension did not stay limited to students. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, joined INDIA bloc leaders in a march to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. They marched in memory of students who died by suicide after the May 12 NEET-UG exam got cancelled due to the paper leak. They also stood in support of those injured during the June 20 clashes.
Both CJP and the opposition are now demanding one thing: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What Students Should Take Away
If you are a DU student watching this unfold, the message is simple. Care about the cause if you want to, but be smart about how you show support. Unauthorised gatherings at Jantar Mantar carry legal risk that could shadow your academic and professional life for a long time.
And when it comes to information flying around on social media, treat it the way you would treat a suspicious email. Verify before you trust it, and definitely verify before you share it.
The NEET paper leak issue is far from over, and protests are likely to continue as long as demands remain unmet. DU's advisory is a reminder that safety, both legal and personal, should stay at the top of the priority list.
