LIVE | Govt wants to lay siege to Jantar Mantar: CJP; 47 NTA officials sacked
Meanwhile, Opposition parties protested at Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his indefinite hunger strike after the government assured him that his demands would be met.
He announced the end of his fast after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around Thursday midnight (July 23) and conveyed the government's assurances.
Also read: CJP protests expose Modi's Achilles' heel: A government unused to listening
"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dr Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh, I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk said in a post on X.
PM's X post for Wangchuk
After Wangchuk announced the end of his hunger strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X, "I urge Sonam ji to follow his daily routine as advised by the doctors and regain his weight as soon as possible." "I pray to the Almighty that Sonam ji remains healthy," the prime minister added.
Also read: Degrees, dreams, and despair: Why India’s young graduates are on the streets
Reading out the government's assurances to Wangchuk in the presence of his wife Gitanjali Angmo and others at the hospital, Nadda said, "The government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those who participated in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026." The Union Health Minister further said that the government has already assured discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and education reforms for exams.
"Besides, the government is also positively considering suitable compensation for the suicide victims of recent NEET paper leaks," Nadda added.
Also read: From slaps, social media ridicule to threats: Police brutality under fire amid CJP protests
Wangchuk said that a total of 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had visited or signed letters urging him to break the fast.
"This was done after long negotiations on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country. I will explain the conditions in detail in a separate video very soon. Meanwhile, I urge you all to stay very vigilant about not allowing violence of any kind anywhere," he said in his post on X.
CJP 'relieved and grateful'
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday said it was "relieved and grateful" that activist Sonam Wangchuk had ended his 26-day hunger strike, but asserted that its peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar would continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
Also read: Salman, Kareena, Alia...How aloof Bollywood found its voice to back student protests
In a post on X, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanked Wangchuk for his "extraordinary courage and sacrifice".
"We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days. Thank you, sir, for your extraordinary courage and sacrifice. By putting your own life on the line, you awakened the conscience of an entire nation. Your life is far too precious to this country," Dipke said.
"The Cockroach Janta Party's peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," he added.
Rahul attacks PM Modi, lists 3 demands
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday night attacked Prime Minister Narendra 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, Rahul said the prime minister 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 post.
Prime Minister Modi announced that his government would take strict action against paper leaks and would discuss and finalise a law in this regard in Friday's meeting of the Union Cabinet.
Modi announced on Thursday that a Bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks will be introduced in Parliament next week.
In a video message, Modi also said the contours of the bill will be discussed at the cabinet meeting where the proposed legislation will be finalised.
The cabinet will discuss the issue of paper leaks on Friday, and taking suggestions of the cabinet colleagues, further action will be finalised.
"On Monday, when the second week of the Monsoon session of Parliament will begin, a bill will be brought with provisions for strong action against paper leaks, and we will try to pass it as early as possible," he said.
Follow live updates of CJP protest, Parliament monsoon session, here.
Live Updates
- 24 July 2026 6:45 PM IST
Cabinet approves draft bill for stricter punishments in paper leak cases
The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill to ensure stricter punishments for paper leaks, including a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement to this effect, official sources said.
The Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Parliament House complex approved the draft bill to hand stricter punishments to those involved in paper leaks as compared to the existing law, they said.
The bill will amend ‘The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024’, proposing 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, the sources said.
The present law has provisions for three to five years’ imprisonment for individuals, and five to 10 years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore for those involved in the organised crime of cheating and paper leaks.
The bill is aimed at preventing organised gangs and institutions that indulge in unfair means for monetary gains, while protecting the candidates from its provisions.
The existing law is aimed at curbing leaks, malpractices as well as organised malpractices in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC, etc., and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET.
Sources said the amended bill is likely to come up in Parliament on Monday, as announced by Prime Minister Modi in a video message issued around midnight on Thursday.
- 24 July 2026 6:44 PM IST
Left students' outfits clash with security forces, police use batons
Clashes broke out between members of the Left students' organisations and police personnel during a protest in central Kolkata on Friday over the NEET paper leak, prompting security forces to baton-charge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the agitators, a senior officer said.
The protesters blocked the Dorina Crossing area in the Esplanade area, hurled footwear and water bottles at the men in uniform.
The police were seen having a tough time in trying to remove the agitators from the intersection of vital thoroughfares on a working day.
Till reports last received, the police had not managed to disperse the crowd from the region despite resorting to a mild lathi charge and even firing some tear gas shells.
A section of protesters, who claimed to be supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party and called off their rally after they were denied police permission to hold a separate protest march, had joined the Left activists at the rally’s terminating point in Dharmatala, police said.
A large contingent of RAF, a combat force of the city police and central paramilitary forces remained deployed at the spot to try and stop the situation from spiralling out of control.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak.
- 24 July 2026 5:56 PM IST
RAF probes excess force allegations during Delhi protests
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has begun a preliminary verification into allegations that its personnel used excessive force, including firing pellet guns, during the ongoing student protests in Delhi, officials said on Friday.
According to officials, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has directed the RAF's Inspector General to examine the actions of deployed teams, including their efforts to control protesters and incidents in which personnel were allegedly attacked. A formal Court of Inquiry will be considered after the verification is completed.
"All legal procedures stipulated to check the conduct of the personnel during such operational duties will be followed," a senior RAF officer said.
Officials said the RAF is reviewing videos showing personnel using batons, riot-control weapons and pellet guns, as well as footage of protesters assaulting stranded jawans. The force is also examining reports involving a stun gun and alleged misconduct by personnel.
Separately, the CRPF has barred deployed officers from speaking to the media and is reviewing an RAF officer's social media activity for possible violations of departmental guidelines.
- 24 July 2026 5:52 PM IST
Delhi HC declines PIL seeking NIA probe into NEET protest
The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to hear a public interest litigation seeking an NIA or other specialised agency probe into the Cockroach Janta Party-led 'Chalo Sansad' march held on July 20 over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.
A bench headed by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya said it was for the Centre—not the court—to decide whether an investigation should be handed over to the National Investigation Agency. "If there is an FIR, recourse to the NIA has to be taken by the respective government. How can this be a PIL?" the bench observed.
The court asked petitioners to approach the authorities with their complaints, adding that any representation would be considered in accordance with law. It also remarked, "We are not entering into that debate," while refusing to examine competing allegations over the protest.
The PIL was later withdrawn. The court clarified it was not limiting the Centre's powers and reminded authorities to "Do your job as mandated by the Supreme Court."
- 24 July 2026 5:41 PM IST
Congress' Oza condemns police action on students
Congress leader Shobha Oza on Friday accused the BJP-led Union government of failing to uphold its "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" slogan, citing the alleged violence against female students during protests in New Delhi.
Addressing reporters, the former All India Women Congress president alleged that women protesters were injured and subjected to molestation, obscenity and verbal abuse by police. "The terrifying scenes clearly demonstrate how hollow the slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' is for the ruling BJP," she said, claiming the force used against students had crossed all limits.
Oza alleged the Centre targeted protest leaders instead of accepting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and accused authorities of removing police nameplates to shield personnel involved.
She also questioned why Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah remained in office after his controversial remarks about Colonel Sofia Qureshi. Oza said Congress would continue its protests until Pradhan resigns, action is taken against the police personnel involved, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologises to the students.
- 24 July 2026 5:38 PM IST
NEET aspirant's mother Seeks PM, Pradhan's resignation
The mother of a NEET aspirant who allegedly died by suicide in May joined a protest in Nagpur on Friday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks and irregularities.
The protest, held in support of the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation in New Delhi, drew hundreds of young people to Samvidhan Square.
Addressing the gathering, Neelam Chaturvedi sought justice for her daughter, Akanksha Chaturvedi, who allegedly died by suicide after suffering distress and depression following the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination.
"The children who committed suicide cannot be brought back," Neelam Chaturvedi said, while seeking compensation for the families of such students.
Akanksha, from Madhya Pradesh's Mauganj district, was preparing for NEET in Nagpur. Police said she was found hanging at her home on May 20, days after the National Testing Agency cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG exam over paper leak allegations. A re-examination was held on June 21.
- 24 July 2026 4:27 PM IST
SC to hear pleas alleging police excesses against students on July 27
The Supreme Court will hear on July 27 two separate petitions alleging police excesses on students protesting NEET paper leak and other exam irregularities.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana agreed to hear the PILs after they the matter was mentioned before it.
"Police is using excessive force against the students," Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said. "The court stands between us and the police." Urging the apex court to list the pleas for hearing, he said there was urgency in the matter as this was happening on a daily basis.
Sankaranarayanan told the bench that two separate petitions have been filed regarding the violence that took place during students' protest across the country. He said both the pleas have been filed and they have been numbered by the apex court registry.
The CJI said the pleas would be listed for hearing on July 27.
- 24 July 2026 4:25 PM IST
Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL seeking NIA probe into CJP's 'Chalo Sansad' march
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a probe by the NIA or any "specialised agency" into the Cockroach Janta Party-led march to Parliament on July 20 to protest against the NEET-UG paper leak and other related issues.
A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the alleged incidents of vandalism were given the knowledge and notice of the authorities, who would take action according to the law.
The bench also said it was for the Centre to refer any case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation, and not the court.
- 24 July 2026 4:24 PM IST
Students protest in Jaipur over paper leaks, seek Pradhan's resignation
Hundreds of students staged a protest at Jaipur's Jawahar Circle against the alleged paper leak issue, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and reforms to ensure transparency in competitive examinations.
The demonstration, which began on Thursday evening, continued on Friday, with a large number of youths, including women students, gathering at the protest site carrying placards and raising slogans against the Centre and the Rajasthan government.
They also sought action against Delhi police personnel over the alleged lathi-charge on protesters at Jantar Mantar.
The protesters demanded a transparent recruitment examination system in Rajasthan, stringent measures to prevent paper leaks and regulation of coaching institutes' fees and functioning.
- 24 July 2026 4:18 PM IST
Will monitor steps taken to curb NEET paper leaks: SC
The Supreme Court on Friday told the Centre that it will closely monitor the steps taken to curb NEET examination paper leaks, while underlining that ad hocism has caused trouble for years.
A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, which was hearing a batch of petitions, including one by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the government should indicate the steps taken towards transparency, implementation of recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee and how the IIT model would be followed.
The seven-member Radhakrishnan Committee was set up by the Ministry of Education in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak to make recommendations on reforms in the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
One of the pleas sought a direction to replace or restructure the NTA, which is responsible for conducting NEET-UG, with a robust and autonomous body to conduct the medical entrance examination.
Mehta said there are some developments and the government will file a detailed report on a comprehensive overhaul of the examination process, which may be beyond the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee.
"Students' futures can't be jeopardised. We are going beyond the Radhakrishnan Committee. I assure you that the government is walking 10 extra miles. I can assure you everything is being supervised at the highest level," Mehta submitted.
