INDIA bloc MPs march to Gandhi Smriti after meet at Rahul's houseNEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, along with INDIA bloc MPs on Thursday attempted to head to Gandhi Smriti after a meeting of opposition leaders at his residence in New Delhi, but claimed they were stopped by security personnel. Gandhi said the Opposition wanted to stand in solidarity with students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak as the political deadlock continued to disrupt the Monsoon session of Parliament.Meanwhile, the standoff between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) deepened as both sides disagreed over the venue for fresh talks, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced fast-track courts to ensure speedy punishment in paper leak cases.While the government reiterated that it was ready for dialogue and invited the protesters for talks at Union health minister JP Nadda's residence or office, the CJP rejected the proposal, insisting that any meeting should either be held at Jantar Mantar or at a mutually agreed neutral venue.Here are the top developments:Rahul claims INDIA bloc march stopped by policeRahul Gandhi claimed that he and INDIA bloc MPs were prevented from proceeding to Gandhi Smriti by security personnel after they were denied permission to march to India Gate."Our students are on the road, so all the opposition MPs felt that we should also be on the road. All the opposition MPs wanted to go to India Gate. They refused, stopped us. Then we said that we want to go Tees January( Gandhi Smriti). They have put the bus here and left it. We are not able to go ahead but the main message is to the students. We are with you."INDIA bloc heads to Gandhi SmritiAfter the INDIA bloc meeting concluded, Rahul Gandhi said alliance MPs and leaders were heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg to pay tribute to students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and to express solidarity with those injured during the recent protests.Rahul along with several other opposition MPs boarded the bus to leave for Gandhi Smriti from his residence.In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, "Right now, MPs and leaders of the INDIA alliance are peacefully heading to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg. We go to remember the students we lost - the children driven to take their own lives after the NEET paper leak. And we go to stand with the students who lie injured today - beaten for peacefully demanding justice and accountability. India’s students are not alone. The entire Opposition stands with them and their demands."Meanwhile, security was also tightened outside Dharmendra Pradhan's residence.Opposition huddle at Rahul's residenceSeveral INDIA bloc leaders arrived at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's residence for a meeting amid the ongoing row over the NEET paper leak and student protests. As senior leaders gathered, police presence outside Rahul Gandhi's residence was stepped up. Venugopal alleged that Delhi had been turned into a "war-like situation", while Kharge quipped that he had been invited for "tea"."Sahab invited for tea. That's why I have come to have tea," Kharge said. Congress leader P Chidambaram, Sonia Gandhi, TMC MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant also arrived for the meeting.A bus carrying Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel also arrived outside the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Delhi amid the ongoing protests.Congress MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring after arriving at the residence of Rahul Gandhi said, "If we reveal our plan, the enemy is very alert. Delhi Police, Amit Shah ji's people, have come here already. We will fight, and we will win."RJD MP Manoj Jha after arriving at Rahul's residence said, "Look at what is happening at Jantar Mantar and in different states. There is so much unrest among the youth...In the coming moments, you will know what we are doing...I am worried after seeing the condition of the country."Centre renews offer for talks, CJP rejects venue proposed by govtThe Centre once again invited the protesting students for dialogue after an earlier meeting between Union health minister JP Nadda and CJP representatives failed to break the deadlock.Union minister Jitendra Singh said the government had made multiple offers for talks over the past 24 hours and was willing to discuss all issues related to the protests."We are ready to discuss the issue on which the agitation has happened, and all the other related issues as well. The talks can be held with an open mind at the residence of Union health minister JP Nadda... The talks could be held at Nadda's residence or at the office," Singh said.JP Nadda also reiterated that the government remained open to discussions.CJP demands neutral venue, seeks 'concrete outcome'Responding to the government's offer, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protesters had no objection to talks but would not attend a meeting at the residence of a Union minister.He said the CJP had earlier suggested that both sides agree on a neutral venue after the government conveyed its reluctance to visit Jantar Mantar."Yesterday, they told us, 'Please don't ask us to come to Jantar Mantar. It will create problems for us because people are very angry.' So we said, 'Alright, neither your place nor ours. Let's find a neutral venue where we can meet.' Since they seem reluctant to come to Jantar Mantar, we suggested that they recommend any neutral location that is neither their residence nor Jantar Mantar."Ranka said the protesters had rejected the proposal to meet at JP Nadda's residence or office."Even now, Union minister Jitendra Singh is saying that the meeting can take place either at JP Nadda's office or his residence. But the people have rejected that proposal. If a meeting is to take place, it will not be held at Nadda's residence. It should either be at Jantar Mantar or at some other neutral venue."He also said the protesters wanted meaningful negotiations instead of assurances."We have also placed a second condition before the government. This time, we don't want empty assurances. If you are holding talks with us, there has to be something concrete... If you are inviting us for talks, we expect some concrete outcome."CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said, "Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that we can hold talks anywhere; then we have already made our suggestion. Come to Jantar Mantar or to a neutral venue like the Constitution Club of India. We will meet there. I have not received any message from their side yet...They should contact us directly and discuss where to meet, when to meet, and how long the discussion will continue."Passport action warningDelhi Police said that people found to be directly involved in the violence during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest could face cancellation of their passports.According to PTI, the move comes after clashes near Jantar Mantar left several police personnel injured. Police said investigations are underway to identify those involved in the assault on officers and damage to public property.CJP announces nationwide protests on July 24The Cockroach Janta Party announced that it would organise nationwide protests on July 24 as its agitation entered another phase.The organisation maintained that the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan remained its primary demand and said the movement would continue until the government accepted its key demands, including accountability for the alleged paper leak and withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters.PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak casesAmid the continuing protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.In a post on X, PM Modi said the government had directed authorities to take all necessary steps to safeguard students' interests."Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth. We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks... Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he said.Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, however, criticised the announcement, accusing the government of failing to protect the education system and reiterating the Opposition's demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.Anna Hazare begins silent protest in support of studentsVeteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday began a maun andolan (silent protest) in Maharashtra's Ahilyanagar in support of students protesting over the alleged examination irregularities.Hazare had earlier backed the student movement and urged the government to address concerns over alleged paper leaks and restore public confidence in the examination system.His protest comes as demonstrations continue at Delhi's Jantar Mantar despite heightened security and repeated clashes between protesters and police.Parliament remains paralysed over paper leak issueParliament witnessed another day of disruptions as both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned repeatedly amid protests by Opposition MPs demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.The government maintained that it was ready to hold a discussion on the issue without any preconditions, while the Opposition insisted that Pradhan must resign before any debate could take place.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared to hold discussions for any duration the Opposition wanted, but accused opposition parties of avoiding a debate by insisting on resignation first.Centre likely to convene floor leaders' meetingGovernment sources said the Centre is likely to convene a meeting of floor leaders to finalise a discussion on the paper leak issue in Parliament.According to the sources, the government has urged opposition parties to participate in the debate without linking it to the resignation of the education minister.The move comes as the Centre continues efforts to break both the parliamentary deadlock and the impasse with the CJP over the ongoing protests.Get the latest India News and Live updates. 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