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 10:33 AM IST
Delhi Police install additional layers of barricades at key locations
Security arrangements have been intensified further across the national capital ahead of the weekend, with Delhi Police installing additional layers of barricades at key locations and reinforcing them with heavy-duty chains to prevent attempts to breach security cordons, officials said on Saturday.
The move follows the raging protest in Delhi by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, with police expecting a larger turnout of protesters through the weekend.
According to police sources, multiple rows of iron barricades have been placed on the sensitive stretches in the New Delhi district, particularly in and around the Jantar Mantar protest site and other strategic locations.
“Extra layers of barricading have been put in place at the vulnerable points, which have been chained together and welded so that they cannot be dismantled or shifted easily. Additional force will also be deployed to maintain law and order,” a police officer said.
Apart from physical barricading, surveillance and security measures have also been enhanced across the city.
- 25 July 2026 10:07 AM IST
CJP questions PM Modi, seeks his resignation if he can't ask Pradhan to quit
"If the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is unable to ask for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, then he should resign himself," says CJP in a post on X.
- 25 July 2026 9:31 AM IST
Mystery food deliveries spark fresh questions at CJP's protest
No name, just ‘Jantar Mantar’: Anonymous orders feed protesters. Watch our video below.
- 25 July 2026 8:54 AM IST
CJP: 'Dharmendra Pradhan ji, resign'
CJP reiterates its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
- 25 July 2026 8:48 AM IST
Third round of CJP-govt talks today, says Nadda
Third round of talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the government to be held this afternoon, says Union Minister JP Nadda
- 25 July 2026 8:44 AM IST
18 Delhi Metro stations closed today
"Below mentioned Metro stations will be closed from 07:30 AM tomorrow (25th July, 2026) till further instructions. However, Interchange facility shall remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat (sic)," Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRCL) said in a post on X on Friday night (July 24).
1. Lok Kalyan Marg
2. Rajiv Chowk
3. Patel Chowk
4. Ramakrishna Ashram Marg
5. Barakhambha Road
6. Supreme Court
7. Seva Teerth
8. Janpath
9. Mandi House
10. Central Secretariat
11. ITO
12. Delhi Gate
13. Indraprastha
14. Khan Market
15. Jor Bagh
16. Shivaji Stadium
17. Jhandewalan
18. New Delhi
- 25 July 2026 8:38 AM IST
RSS leader alleges foreign influence behind Delhi protests
RSS national executive member Indresh Kumar has urged climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to keep his agitation "Indian" after the latter ended his hunger strike, alleging that "foreign forces" had taken over the movement and warning the youth against becoming "agents" of anti-national elements. Kumar said Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were different entities and alleged that the latter was working as an "agency of foreign forces".
"These are separate in nature. Sonam Wangchuk is one person, and the CJP is totally different. Political parties too have different agendas. They have mixed it together to defame everyone's character. That is why Sonam Wangchuk has distanced himself from it.
"I would say that he should understand that his movement has been taken over by foreigners. Therefore, he should keep his movement Indian. He should not become a puppet of foreigners," Kumar told reporters here.
Alleging that the CJP was acting on behalf of foreign interests, he said, "I would tell the young people who come there to be cautious. Do not become the puppets or agents of those who betray the country and deceive the nation."
He cautioned political parties against boosting anti-national activities to play politics. "They should do positive politics."
Referring to Wangchuk ending his fast, Kumar alleged that attempts were being made to "spoil the atmosphere of positive politics" in the country. He claimed that while opposition parties had initially raised the issue of the NEET examination, they later diverted the movement for political purposes.
- 25 July 2026 8:26 AM IST
Wangchuk: 'After 26 days of hunger, do I need to prove my sincerity?'
Activist Sonam Wangchuk said he decided to end his 26-day hunger strike after receiving the Centre's written assurances because he feared an imminent crackdown on protesters and wanted to prevent violence, recalling the September 24, 2025 firing on youth in Ladakh.
In a YouTube video posted late Friday night, Wangchuk dismissed allegations that he had reached a deal with the government. He emphasised that his primary goal was to ensure that students involved in the protests would not face violence or legal consequences.
"After 26 days of hunger, do I need to prove my sincerity?" Wangchuk asked.
He explained that he did not demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during negotiations because his priority was to prevent any legal actions against protesters. Wangchuk expressed confidence that Pradhan would resign eventually.
"Last night around midnight, I was told the ministers had agreed to give the assurance in writing. I was in a hurry because the situation in Delhi was such; there was apprehension that a major crackdown could happen. I was watching reports and was reminded of September 24, 2025, when police and CRPF personnel mercilessly fired at the youth of Ladakh. I was afraid something similar could happen here. I felt that if I ended my fast and appealed for peace, perhaps the situation could be diffused," he said.
Responding to criticism over ending his fast in the presence of Union ministers, Wangchuk stated that those questioning his decision were unaware of the circumstances he faced after being moved from the protest site.
"If I had to make a deal, would I have remained hungry for 26 days? Could I not have struck a deal sitting in an air-conditioned room instead of fasting in Delhi's heat?" he said.
- 25 July 2026 7:30 AM IST
One-sided 'Mann Ki Baat': Congress slams PM's video message on paper leaks
The Congress has said when Parliament is in session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on the paper leaks issue on the floor of the House and not deliver a "one-sided Mann Ki Baat".
It said the "desperate and hassled-looking" prime minister finally broke his silence on paper leaks with a video message, and claimed his lack of commitment to accountability is evident from his failure to even mention the student protests or the brutality unleashed on them.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Modi for sidestepping the issue of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation in his video message released just before midnight.
In a post on X in the early hours of Friday, Gandhi said Modi should not insult the intelligence of students.
"Mr Modi, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Don't insult their intelligence with this pathetic midnight video. 1. Sack Pradhan. 2. Punish those who beat students. 3. Apologise," the leader of opposition said.
In his video message on Thursday night, Modi announced that a bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week.
He also said the contours of the bill would be discussed at a meeting of the Union Cabinet on Friday, where the proposed legislation would be finalised.
Reacting to the remarks, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Before coming to Parliament today, please dismiss Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologise to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of batons and pellet guns to suppress the students' voices. Then we are ready for a detailed discussion on the education system." "When Parliament is in session, the prime minister is required to make a statement on the floor of the House. He should not be delivering a one-sided 'Mann Ki Baat' outside Parliament," he said in a post in Hindi on X.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said whatever eyewash the prime minister proposes, the first steps to any resolution are clear -- "sack Mantri Pradhan; punish those who beat them; apologise".
"The desperate and hassled-looking Pradhan Mantri finally broke his two-month-long silence late last night via a video message to speak on paper leaks," Ramesh said on X.
- 25 July 2026 7:28 AM IST
PM thanks people for responses, positive suggestions received for midnight video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked everyone for the responses and positive suggestions received to his video, where he announced the government's decision to bring a strict law to punish those involved in paper leaks.
In the video message, Modi said that a new Bill incorporating provisions for strong action against paper leaks will be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament next week.
The draft Bill, as announced by the prime minister in the Instagram video shared by him in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, was approved by the Union Cabinet on Friday.
"Thank you, friends. I got the opportunity to talk to you at midnight. The way you have responded to my video, positive suggestions given by you, thanks to everybody. Your love will continue to flow; our relations will continue with more bonding. Thank you, thank you friends," he said in the fresh video message released through his Instagram handle.
Modi created a new world record with the most views on a reel in 24 hours, garnering 303 million views as of now.
The earlier record was 300 million views.
Modi's outreach to the youth came four days after thousands of students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) took part in the 'Sansad Chalo' march to press for their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination-related irregularities.
