DU warns students against joining CJP protests, cites 'political tool' risk

Delhi University (DU) has told its students not to participate in the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests over the NEET paper leak, warning that involvement could carry consequences.

According to a senior DU official quoted by The Indian Express, the university believes students should not become a "political tool". The official added: "There is no advisory in place. We just want our students to be safe and we are acting only in the best interest of our students."

The statement follows a post on DU's official X handle a day earlier, which read: "We see the pain and anxiety of our students. It is unfortunate that vested interests are exploiting their fears instead of easing them. The need of the hour is to calm the situation and reduce their distress, so that they can focus on what truly matters: their studies and their future."

What we can verify

• Date of publication: 23 July 2026 (updated 01:36 PM IST).
• Source: Vidheesha Kuntamalla, Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Delhi edition.
• DU's public position: The university posted on its official X handle urging students to stay calm and focus on studies.
• Official quote: A senior DU official told The Indian Express that participation could have "consequences" and students should not become a "political tool".
• Protest context: Nationwide CJP-led demonstrations over alleged NEET irregularities and demands for transparency in examinations.
• Related event: A 21-year-old protester (Sakshi) was admitted to ICU at RML Hospital after Monday's police crackdown at Jantar Mantar, per a separate Indian Express report.

What remains unverified

• Specific consequences: The article does not detail what academic or disciplinary consequences students might face.
• Scale of student participation: No official headcount of DU students at CJP protests.
• "Vested interests" claim: The X post's assertion that unnamed interests are exploiting student fears is not attributed or substantiated.
• Police action details: The RML ICU report mentions "police used tear gas and lathis" — this is attributed to the Indian Express report but not independently confirmed here.

[unverified] Specific consequences threatened by DU; exact number of DU students at protests; identity of "vested interests" cited in X post.