LIVE: Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast; CJP now seeks PM Modi’s resignation

Delhi HC seeks Wangchuk's health reports, defers decision

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed Safdarjung Hospital to place on record Sonam Wangchuk's pathological reports and health bulletins, including the latest test results, as it considered a plea seeking his transfer to a private hospital. The court said it would decide the matter on Tuesday.

"The report should include today's sample analysis", a bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said while hearing an appeal filed by Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali Angmo. She has challenged a single judge's order refusing to interfere with his treatment at the government-run hospital.

The division bench also directed the AIIMS in-charge director, the AIIMS emergency doctor attending Wangchuk, and the doctor who had treated him earlier to remain present during the hearing. Angmo was asked to submit blood analysis reports conducted at a private laboratory.

In her appeal, Angmo argued that the earlier order effectively confined Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital despite there being no arrest and failed to address "informed consent" or a patient's right to choose or refuse treatment.

Wangchuk was shifted from Jantar Mantar to Safdarjung Hospital by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike, which began on June 28 over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.

CJP raises 'Remove Modi, save the country' slogan

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on Monday escalated its attack on the Narendra Modi government, posting the slogan "Remove Modi, Save the Country" on X as its nationwide protest over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak gathered momentum.

The post came on a day when thousands of CJP supporters attempted to march towards Parliament during the opening day of the Monsoon Session, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability over repeated examination paper leaks. Protesters clashed with Delhi Police as security forces used tear gas and mild baton charges to stop the march near Parliament.

The slogan also followed talks between CJP representatives and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who met the delegation after the government agreed to open a dialogue. Nadda said the protesters had submitted a written petition and appealed to them to end their sit-in, while CJP leaders maintained that the agitation would continue until their demands were met.

JP Nadda says protesters initiated talks with government

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday said the government held discussions with representatives of the protesters after they approached it with a proposal for talks earlier in the day.

In a post on X, Nadda said, "This morning, for the first time, a proposal came from the protesters to hold talks with the government, and our discussions have been ongoing since 11:50 AM."

He said the meeting was conducted in a constructive atmosphere and that the protesters' delegation formally submitted its demands. "The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere. An initial verbal discussion was held in detail with their delegation, and they submitted a written petition to me around 4 PM," he wrote.

Nadda appealed to those participating in the protest to call off their agitation and help restore normalcy. "I have requested all the protesters to end their sit-in and assist the administration in restoring normalcy," the minister said.

Priyanka slams police action on NEET protesting students

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday criticised the police action against students protesting over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and accused the Centre of avoiding a parliamentary discussion on issues affecting the education sector.

Speaking outside Parliament during the opening day of the Monsoon Session, she said the Opposition had been demanding a debate on the education policy but the government had refused to engage. "We are all asking for a discussion. There are problems and major issues with the education policy. Yet, you are unwilling to discuss it," she said.

Referring to the police action against demonstrators in Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi added, "Instead, you are using tear gas on the students and beating them up. For what? They are our children."

Her remarks came as proceedings in both Houses were repeatedly disrupted over the alleged NEET paper leak and other Opposition demands, while protesters attempting to march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament were stopped by Delhi Police amid heightened security in the national capital.

CJP says JP Nadda gave no assurances on demand of Pradhan's resignation

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das on Monday said the party's representatives met Union Minister J.P. Nadda to press their demands, including the resignation or removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In a post on X, Das said, "Ashutosh Ranka and I have been at J.P. Nadda's residence since 12 noon. The demands have been conveyed, including immediate resignation/sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan."

According to Das, the minister assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up with the appropriate authorities but stopped short of offering any commitment. "The Minister assured us he will discuss this at the appropriate level. However, no commitments have been made so far," he wrote.

In a subsequent post, Das said Nadda had also assured the delegation that "no further crackdown will happen at Jantar Mantar and around." He, however, added, "However, no reports yet of police stopping."

Das reiterated that the protest would continue until the party's demands were met, saying, "The peaceful protesters will not rest until the demand is met!"

Delhi Police deny detaining CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke

Delhi Police on Monday rejected claims that Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke had been taken into custody, responding after party spokesperson Saurav Das alleged that Dipke had been picked up during the protest.

In a statement, the police said, “misleading reports are currently circulating on various social media platforms claiming that Abhijit Dipke has been detained by the Delhi Police," reported the Hindustan Times.

Dismissing the allegation, the force added, “It is formally clarified that these allegations are entirely false and he is available on stage.”

As of this update, Dipke has not issued any public statement on the matter.

Pawan Khera defends Parliament protest, seeks Pradhan's resignation

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday defended the protests outside Parliament during the Monsoon Session, saying demonstrators had every right to gather near the legislature to press their demands.

Reacting to the ongoing agitation over alleged examination irregularities, Khera questioned the criticism of protests near Parliament. "Where else should protests be held if not outside Parliament? Naturally, we will protest where you can see and hear us—after all, you are supposed to listen to the voice of the people," he said.

He accused the government of being unwilling to hear the concerns of young people, adding, "When the youth of the country come to your doorstep to make their voices heard and express their outrage, you get scared. What kind of democracy is this?"

Khera reiterated the Opposition's demands, calling on the government to "have Dharmendra Pradhan resign, ensure transparency in exams, and stop playing with the future of the youth." He added that "then you will receive full cooperation" from the Opposition.

From Nirbhaya to CJP: Delhi's biggest protest marches

The Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) march towards Parliament on Monday, which led to clashes with police and detentions, echoed several landmark protests that have unfolded in Delhi over the past 15 years.

One of the most notable was the 2021 Republic Day tractor rally during the farmers' agitation against the three farm laws. Although the rally was permitted on designated routes, some protesters breached barricades, headed towards central Delhi and clashed with police. A group also entered the Red Fort and hoisted the Nishan Sahib and farmers' union flags. More than 300 police personnel were injured.

On Monday, CJP supporters carrying the tricolour pushed through police barricades while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities. Police used force to stop the march towards Parliament.

Delhi has witnessed similar confrontations before. The 2011 Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement drew massive crowds demanding a stronger Lokpal law, while the 2012 Nirbhaya protests saw repeated attempts to march towards Parliament and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The anti-CAA protests of 2019-20, the year-long farmers' agitation at Delhi's borders, and the wrestlers' protest in 2023 also brought thousands onto the capital's streets, making Monday's demonstration another significant addition to Delhi's long history of public protests.

CJP says Abhijeet Dipke is not under arrest or detention

Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das on Monday said that founder Abhijeet Dipke is neither under arrest nor in police detention at present.

CJP delegation meets JP Nadda, lists three key demands

As the Cockroach Janta Party's march to Parliament remained at a standstill on Monday, party representatives said they held a brief meeting with Union Minister J.P. Nadda after the government initiated talks.

Speaking after the meeting, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said he and other representatives met Nadda at his residence for around 10 minutes. According to Ranka, the delegation presented three key demands: the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of all NEET aspirants who died by suicide, reported the Hindustan Times.