LIVE | Pralhad Joshi gets additional charge of education ministry; CJP withdraws protest
CJP requests all protesters to retreat, says govt has promised to provide in writing by Tuesday that no action will be taken against CJP or other protesters
In a huge victory for NEET protesters, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union education minister on Saturday (July 25), taking moral responsibility for the NEET question paper leak and the subsequent chaos that broke out in the shape of student's protests in Delhi's Jantar Mantar led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and educationist-activist Sonam Wangchuk, which spread like wildfire across the country.
As the protests intensified, the Union Cabinet approved a draft Bill to ensure stricter punishments — 10 years' jail for paper leaks, fine up to Rs 10 crore — hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement. The draft Bill was approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Parliament House complex on Friday.
Also read: The latest developments LIVE
The Bill seeks an amendment to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and proposes a minimum punishment of five years' imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks and/or a fine. It proposes a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore in case of organised paper leaks.
Dipke, Wangchuk’s message
As Opposition leaders hailed this “victory of youth power”, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged people not to make him a hero for Pradhan’s resignation. “Don’t make me a hero because of Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The country has been ruined because of making one person a hero...”
Dipke also said Pradhan’s stepping down showed that if people decide against bowing down before the Narendra Modi government, they can take the “resignation of anyone”. He asked people to raise their voice, which he said would keep the rulers “in line”. “Today, they consider themselves as kings while they are there because of us,” Dipke said.
Also read: ‘Don’t make me a hero, country ruined by making one person a hero’: Dipke after Pradhan quits
Later, the CJP held another round of talks with the government over their other two demands, including a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of students who committed suicide in the wake of the NEET examination paper leak in May and an assurance that no legal measures would be taken against the CJP or any protester. The CJP withdrew its protest with immediate effect "in good faith" after the government agreed to meet all demands. The government has agreed to give it in writing on Tuesday.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving the Centre's written assurances, posted on X: “IT’S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY… direct democracy... straight from the streets. It’s a victory of peace, patience and perseverance. Congratulations CJP, Gen Z of the nation and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation. FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS.”
Follow live updates of CJP's protest in Delhi, here.
Live Updates
- 25 July 2026 2:47 PM IST
Victory of student movement and Opposition unity: Venugopal
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "This is a victory for the student movement and for the unity of the Opposition. It marks the end of the government's intolerant and cowardly stance. It is the end of its arrogance and the beginning of the end of its authoritarian rule."
"Now, let the proposed new Bill come out. We will debate its provisions, improve them where necessary, and ensure that the legislation serves the interests of students. The families of students who lost their lives must receive compensation. The cases registered against protesting students must be withdrawn. And every person responsible for brutally assaulting students must be identified and punished," he told Malayalam News TV.
- 25 July 2026 2:41 PM IST
CJP says Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation shows power of public protest
Following Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's announcement that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, "Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. This is proof that if you do not get scared or bow before this government, you can secure anyone's resignation. Do not be afraid in a democracy."
- 25 July 2026 2:37 PM IST
Delhi Police dismiss rumours of food delivery ban in New Delhi
The Delhi Police has dismissed as "factually incorrect and highly misleading" social media rumours claiming a blanket ban on app-based food delivery services in the New Delhi district. It said only a traffic advisory has been issued, urging commuters to avoid routes leading to the notified area due to large gatherings and law and order concerns.
Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) posts, "OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION The Delhi Police again categorically dismisses the viral social media rumours alleging a blanket ban on app-based food delivery services in the New Delhi district. This information is factually incorrect and highly… pic.twitter.com/vFTBC02QhA
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2026 - 25 July 2026 2:33 PM IST
CJP hails Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, says 'We have done it'
After Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted a letter stating that he had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said, "We have done it. Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned."
- 25 July 2026 2:26 PM IST
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid nationwide protests
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and growing demands for accountability in the examination system.
- 25 July 2026 2:22 PM IST
Action taken by Centre too late, too little, says VBA chief Ambedkar
The action taken by the Union government with regards to the protest over education sector irregularities and exam paper leaks is "too little and too late" and the real demand remains the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, said Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday.
The Union government has announced the setting up of fast track courts, while in a major crackdown in the NEET paper leak controversy, the National Testing Agency terminated 47 officials and is set to pursue legal and criminal action against some.
"The action taken yesterday was too late and too little. There was nothing substantial in that action. The students are demanding that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is responsible for wasting their academic year, must resign. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not saying anything on Pradhan's resignation," Ambedkar told reporters in Pune.
- 25 July 2026 2:20 PM IST
Lawyers protest at Tis Hazari against July 20 police action on protesters
More than 60 lawyers practising in various district courts of Delhi on Saturday gathered at the Tis Hazari court complex to protest against the police crackdown on protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) march towards Parliament from the Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The demonstration, organised by the group ‘Youth for Justice’, was held inside the court complex, with participating advocates alleging that the police used excessive force against peaceful protesters.
The lawyers sang the national anthem and collectively recited the Preamble to the Constitution, asserting their commitment to the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. They said the symbolic gesture was intended to reaffirm their faith in the rule of law and the right to peaceful protest guaranteed under the Constitution.
Addressing the gathering, advocate Ashu Bidhuri, founder of Youth for Justice, said students were exercising their constitutional right to protest peacefully and the police should have engaged in dialogue instead of using force on them.
“The students were peacefully protesting at the designated place under the rule of law. The rule of law doesn't allow police to lathi-charge or teargas peaceful student protesters. In such a situation, dialogue should be promoted between police and the protesters.
- 25 July 2026 1:46 PM IST
Dipke: 'Government is nervous'
At Jantar Mantar, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says, "Our protest has been underway for the past 36 days. Some said not many people would join us, but protests have taken place across the country. The government is nervous, which is why it is calling for meetings."
- 25 July 2026 1:29 PM IST
Focus should be on reforming education system, not Pradhan’s resignation: Mayawati
In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati said the protesters’ demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had become the centre of political confrontation, while the real issue of reforming the examination system should not be lost.
"Although the peaceful sit-in at Jantar Mantar has received widespread public sympathy, both the opposition and the government are engaged in intense politics over the protesters' adamant demand for the resignation of the Union education minister. The real issue of necessary, comprehensive reforms in the education system should not disappear," she said.
Mayawati also alleged that opposition parties were competing to capitalise on the issue "from the streets to Parliament", leading to heightened tensions between the government and the opposition.
"Such confrontation is turning intense and could spread in one form or another to the states. I advise my party workers to remain alert and vigilant," she said.
The BSP chief said the issue had become completely politicised and alleged that police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar had further aggravated the situation.
- 25 July 2026 1:24 PM IST
Women at Jantar Mantar protest struggle for toilets, water as basic facilities remain out of reach
For many women camping at Jantar Mantar, the biggest challenge is no longer spending long hours under the blazing sun or navigating the crowds, it is finding a clean and accessible washroom.
With water supply at the protest site cut and access to nearby toilets becoming increasingly difficult, women protesters and volunteer doctors say even meeting basic hygiene needs has become a daily struggle, forcing some to leave the site and disrupting medical services.
Harishma, a protester from Bengaluru, said accessing a washroom has become one of the hardest parts of staying at the protest.
"It is so difficult. I have to go back to my hostel to relieve myself, especially as a woman," she said, adding that the lack of basic facilities has made it difficult to remain at the protest for long hours.
A volunteer doctor, who has been stationed at the protest site for several days, recalled her own experience.
"Water in Jantar Mantar was cut from the beginning. I had to use the washroom on my first day at the protest site when I got my period. It was horrible. Unbearable," she said.
The doctor said volunteers are also struggling to receive food because of restrictions around the protest site.
"We haven't even received food that people have donated for us. The delivery person isn't able to come to the place. My partner also isn't able to bring us food because the checking is strict and they aren't allowing people to come to the protest site," she said.
Volunteer doctors said they had earlier managed by walking to Janpath Metro station to use washrooms at restaurants outside the protest area.
"We doctors used to walk till Janpath Metro and use some restaurant outside. Today shops around the area closed by 6.30. When our doctors or medical staff want to use the washroom, we have no option anywhere. We even asked a hotel to let us book a room to use the washroom. They denied us," another volunteer doctor said.
The shortage of facilities has also affected the functioning of medical camps treating protesters suffering from dehydration, exhaustion, cuts and minor injuries.
