India invites B’desh PM Tarique Rahman to Delhi India has invited Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi in September, officials in Dhaka said. If Rahman accepts the invitation, the summit could provide the first opportunity for a direct meeting between him and PM Narendra Modi. The Ministry of External Affairs was yet to confirm if an invitation was sent COIMBATORE l friday l july 24, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l LATE CITY EDITION CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Rahul visits Gandhi Smriti to pay homage to students who allegedly died by suicide following NEET-UG mess 17 Delhi Metro stations to remain closed on Friday, Sonam Wangchuk urges protesters to remain peaceful CJP call for nationwide protests today Filmmakers join stir, protesters block train in TN Pa r v e z S u lta n @ New Delhi The NEET paper leak controversy escalated into a wider political confrontation on Thursday as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for nationwide protests on Friday, and the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi staged a symbolic march to Gandhi Smriti in solidarity with the agitating students. The developments came amid heightened security and heavy deployment of personnel across central Delhi, with several metro stations shut, mobile internet services suspended in parts of the city and businesses in Connaught Place advised to close early ahead of anticipated demonstrations. The government, which has designated Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh to engage with protesters, said it had reached out four times in the past 24 hours for talks. The CJP however, , rejected the invitation while reiterating its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Adding to the momentum of the protests, actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Panday expressed support for agitating students through social media, calling for a fair, transparent and accountable examination system. The Opposition, meanwhile, intensified its campaign against the Centre following the showdown in Parliament. Carrying copies of the Constitution and the Tricolour, INDIA bloc MPs led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi marched to Gandhi Smriti at Tees January Marg. At the memorial, the MPs switched on their mobile phone flashlights and observed a silent tribute to students who allegedly died by suicide in the wake of the examination controversy Sev. eral leaders also held placards demanding accountability and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. The visit came after the Opposition claimed it had been denied permission to assemble at India Gate. The MPs travelled from Rahul’s residence. “In solidarity with the students, we wanted to take the Opposition MPs to India Gate, but we were not allowed. Then we decided to go to Gandhi Smriti,” Rahul said. Rahul Gandhi and opposition MPs after paying homage at the Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi on Thursday | PTI Students are on the streets, so we felt the Oppn should also be on the streets. We are with the students. The entire Oppn stands with them Rahul Gandhi Crowds pour in Despite restrictions and barricading at several major roads in Delhi, crowds continued to swell at the site amid heavy sloganeering PM announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases RA J E S H K U M AR THA K UR @ New Delhi Promising strict action against those indulging in examination paper leaks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the government would set up fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment to the culprits. “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youths... We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks,” Modi wrote on X. He added that directions have gone out to the authorities concerned to take all necessary steps on the issue. “Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he said. The PM had earlier termed the crime a ‘grave sin’ adding that no one would be allowed to play with the future of the youth. “The government is taking several steps and measures to prevent such incidents,” he said on Tuesday in an NDA meeting. Meanwhile, sources pointed out that there are adequate legal provisions to deal with such crimes. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 covers all major central recruitment and entrance examinations. Chennai: The anti-NEET protests in TN gained momentum as members of SFI and DYFI held rail and road blockade on Thursday, and parties — including DMK, VCK, and MNM — extended support to the sit-in protest by supporters of CJP CPI and AISF at the CPI state , office, Balan Illam, in Chennai. Filmmakers, including Pa Ranjith, Vetrimaaran and Ameer, led a demonstration in support of the protests at Rajarathinam Stadium in Egmore. Police arrested over 50 people for the rail blockade at Thiruparankundram in Madurai. Marina Beach was sealed off to prevent mass gatherings. Hindi words on the nameboard of Sholavandan post office were defaced by unidentified persons, and slogans demanding the resignation of the PM and Pradhan were found written on the board.  Full coverage: P2 Protesters at the CPI state office, Balan Illam, in Chennai on Thursday | P Jawahar arrested in liquor case Youth dies in hosp, kin allege custodial torture e x p r e ss n e w s s e r v i c e @ Thoothukudi A 24-year-old youth arrested five days ago on the charge of illicit sale of liquor bottles, who was under treatment at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital (TMCH), died early on Thursday sparking allegations of death due , to custodial torture. After the family members of the victim, N Arunachalam of Amutha Nagar, held protests on the hospital premises on Thursday seeking the arrest of three police personnel allegedly involved in the attack, Thoothukudi Judicial Magistrate Vijayaraj visited the family and held an inquiry with them. According to police, Arunachalam, a waiter at a Tasmac liquor bar, was detained by the Thoothukudi South Police on July 17 (last Friday) for selling liquor bottles illegally at Third Mile, and 120 liquor bottles were allegedly seized from him. Four police personnel, including a woman SI, took him to Thoothukudi South Police Station for inquiry , and an FIR under Sections 4(1)(A) and 14A of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Act was registered against him.  P7