New Delhi

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said young protesters "will find a way" to join the agitation even if all the metro stations are shutdown.

Addressing a joint press conference with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Kejriwal criticised the closure of several Metro stations, saying such measures would only strengthen the protests.

"Closing the metro stations is wrong. The more the government tries to stop students and protesters, the more the movement will grow. Even if you close all the metro stations, they will walk. These are young people. It will be good for the government to listen to these young protesters," he said.

Accusing the Centre of trying to suppress the student movement instead of addressing its demands, Kejriwal said, "Do not try to stop these young protesters. They will find a way to join the protest."

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Wednesday morning closed 16 Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO and Khan Market, citing "security reasons".

The closures come amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET examination paper leak issue.

Asked about the Congress' protest on the issue, Kejriwal said the AAP supports the agitation and urged all political parties to join the movement.

"Everyone should join. We went to Jantar Mantar in support of the protest. We want to tell the government that question papers are being leaked and the examination system is failing.

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"Why can't the Education minister resign? Ministers are changed all the time. The Education Minister should resign and the examination system should be fixed. We fully support this movement," the AAP leader said.

Kejriwal also alleged that the lathi-charge on unarmed students was "equal to terrorism" committed by the government.