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 1:39 PM IST
SC tells Centre it will monitor steps taken to curb NEET paper leaks
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.
Mehta said there are some developments and the government will file a detailed report, 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.
He added that two years back, a similar issue arose and right from printing to transportation, everything was explained to the court.
The Bench said that the government deployed the Airforce to transport question papers for the NEET-UG retest, but all these measures are ad hoc.
"Ad hocism has troubled us for years," Justice Narasimha said, while pointing out that the court will ensure that institutionalisation of the examination process takes place," it said.
Advocate Tanvi Dubey, appearing for FAIMA, sought a detailed blueprint of the SOP concerning the computer-based test (CBT) model that will be implemented by the National Testing Agency for the NEET-UG examination from next year.
- 24 July 2026 1:14 PM IST
Media reports 'reckless', no plea related to CJP protests filed: CJI
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday dismissed as "reckless” media reports that he had denied urgent hearing on a plea challenging the July 20 police action against students, saying it was only a representation and not a petition.
No such petition was filed, he stated.
"In the last two days, a completely false statement was made that a matter was filed, and the media is absolutely free from all responsibility and falsely reporting that the Chief Justice refused to list the matter," he said.
“Till morning 10 am, not a single page has been filed. It was one representation...sent by Mishra or someone. How can I treat the representation as a writ petition? And people start recklessly reporting this," the CJI said while lawyers were mentioning their cases for urgent listing on Friday.
On Wednesday, a lawyer sought urgent hearing on the police action against students during the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest march here on July 20.
"I have the videos as well regarding police brutality... If it can be listed tomorrow (Thursday)... students are there," the lawyer had said.
He said the students had allegedly been subjected to police brutality during the protest.
The CJI had declined the request and made it clear that the bench was not inclined to examine video footage at the mentioning stage.
"We are not interested in videos, we don't have time to watch... We don't want to watch videos," the CJI had said.
When the counsel reiterated that students had been beaten up and again referred to the video evidence, the CJI had said, "Don't waste our time. We don't want to watch any videos." The Cockorach Janta Party led march on July 20 witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel, who used lathis and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.
The protestors were demanding the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over NEET exam leak issue.
- 24 July 2026 12:37 PM IST
Rahul demands Pradhan's resignation again
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterates during an interaction with reporters in Parliament complex that the Opposition will have no discussion with the government or in Parliament unless Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as Education Minister.
- 24 July 2026 12:36 PM IST
RS adjourned till 2 PM
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 PM over ruckus.
- 24 July 2026 12:20 PM IST
Rijiju reiterates govt's willingness for discussion on education reforms; LS adjourned until Monday
In the Lok Sabha, Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju reiterates government's willingness for discussion on education reforms and paper leaks in Parliament and urges Opposition to allow the discussion without disruptions and conditions.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi seeks permission to respond. As Jagdambika Pal, who is presiding over House proceedings, tells Rahul he will be given a chance to speak after listing of papers, the Opposition erupts into protests and "we want istifa" slogans again.
Pal adjourns the House till Monday without giving Rahul Gandhi a chance to speak, citing chaos in the House.
- 24 July 2026 11:52 AM IST
Rahul slams DU over its 'stay away from Jantar Mantar warning' to students
With the Delhi University urging students to "stay away" from Jantar Mantar protests, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the varsity and asked how dare it "threaten" students for exercising their democratic rights.
"Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes," Gandhi said, tagging the Delhi University social media post advising students to "stay away from Jantar Mantar".
"How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes," Gandhi said in his post.
His remarks came in response to a University of Delhi post on Thursday night saying, "Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us. Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action." Such activities can also pose serious risks to students' personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities, the university said.
"Accordingly, all students are urged to stay away from Jantar Mantar and to prioritise their safety and compliance with the law. Furthermore, you are advised to exercise caution as a significant amount of fake and misleading content is being created and circulated to fuel the situation," it said.
- 24 July 2026 11:42 AM IST
Joint Oppn to raise ‘pellet gun' use on students in Parliament; PM, HM must be held accountable: TMC
The Trinamool Congress on Friday said the Opposition will jointly raise the alleged use of pellet guns against students during the July 20 police crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) 'Sansad Chalo' march in Parliament, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah be held accountable in the matter.
Sagarika Ghose, Trinamool’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, claimed that evidence had emerged showing security forces used pellet guns against unarmed student protesters.
“Horrifying brutality by the Narendra Modi regime. Proof has now emerged that security forces did fire deadly pellet guns – which can result in blindness – on our unarmed and vulnerable children protesting on the streets and pleading for an accountable examination system,” Ghose said in an X post.
Announcing the opposition's plan, Ghose said, “A united opposition will protest in Parliament today against police brutality on unarmed students, NEET examination disaster, and tragic student suicides.” Reacting to Ghose's post, Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien said, “It's now way beyond just dropping a minister. Won't do. The prime minister and the home minister must be held accountable." The alleged use of pellet guns during the July 20 police crackdown turned into a major political issue after photographs and videos surfaced showing pellet injuries to protesters.
At least one student suffered a serious eye injury and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.
While Delhi Police has denied using pellet guns, the opposition parties have been demanding a discussion in Parliament on the issue.
- 24 July 2026 11:35 AM IST
Venugopal: PM has to sack Dharmendra Pradhan
Congress leader KC Venugopal says, "At least the Prime Minister has to sack Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister. This is the demand of students of this country. Without seeing the demands of students, he is trying to do eyewash."
- 24 July 2026 11:27 AM IST
Opposition parties protest at Parliament, demand Pradhan's resignation
Oppposition parties protest, demand Pradhan's resignation.
- 24 July 2026 11:17 AM IST
Internet shutdown over CJP protest: Delhi HC to hear PIL
Delhi HC will today hear a PIL against the internet shutdown around the Jantar Mantar protest site.
