Jantar Mantar Protest LIVE: Nothing short of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is acceptable, says Dipke

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founding president Abhijeet Dipke has said the party's protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. Expressing relief over activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike, Dipke said his life was "extremely valuable for the nation." Ahead of the CJP's meeting with Union ministers later today, he added that the talks would be held at a neutral venue, but maintained that "nothing short of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation is acceptable."

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) will hold a press conference at 11 am ahead of its scheduled meeting with Union ministers later in the day. CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said, "We want to make it clear that the protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. The Prime Minister had to release a video at 12:30 am, which shows the pressure is immense. PM Modi said he would take the strictest action. The strictest action would be removing Dharmendra Pradhan. Only then will we believe that the government is serious about the future of India's youth. We have a meeting with JP Nadda at the Constitution Club of India (CCI) at 12:30 pm. Before that, we will hold a press conference at 11 am."

Opposition MPs from the I.N.D.I.A bloc are set to hold a protest at Parliament's Makar Dwar at 10.30 am today, continuing their agitation over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy as the Monsoon Session of Parliament has largely remained gridlocked over the issue. The protest follows a direct face-off that broke out between NDA and INDIA bloc MPs on Thursday, as both sides staged simultaneous demonstrations at Makar Dwar. The Opposition is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while the NDA has accused them of deliberately blocking a debate on the issue.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Friday said its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, even as activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike following a written assurance from the Union Government on the NEET examination issue and systemic reforms.

Delhi Police today once again dismissed as "false and misleading" claims circulating on social media that its personnel resorted to firing and stone-pelting during a protest at Jantar Mantar, urging the public not to share unverified content. In a post on X, Delhi Police rejected the claims, stating that no such incident had taken place. It clarified that the videos were being circulated with a false narrative to mislead the public and were not from the Jantar Mantar protest site.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said when Parliament is in session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be making a statement on the paper leaks issue on the floor of the House and not delivering a "one-sided Mann Ki Baat". Kharge's remarks came after Modi announced on Thursday night in a video message that a bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament next week.

• PM Modi directed the setting up of fast-track courts for paper leak cases.
• The government held four rounds of talks with Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders.
• Education Secretary Vineet Joshi was transferred.
• Naresh Pal Gangwar was appointed as the new Education Secretary.
• A fast-track court for paper leak trials was notified.
• The fast-track court will function at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court.
• PM Modi released a video message addressing students.
• He assured strict punishment for those responsible for paper leaks.
• PM Modi announced a new bill to curb paper leaks.
• The proposed law will be placed before the Union Cabinet.
• The Centre submitted a written proposal to Sonam Wangchuk.
• Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike.

As per the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), 17 major Metro stations will remain closed from 7:30 am today. However, interchange facilities will continue to be available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations. The affected stations include Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh, Shivaji Stadium and Jhandewalan.

Hours after ending his hunger strike, activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday released a video revealing the reasons for ending his hunger strike after 26 days post midnight on July 24. In the 3-minute-long video, Wangchuk shared on his X handle revealed the reason for breaking his fast. Speaking from his hospital bed, Wangchuk stated that after meeting Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitender Singh, he decided to end his fast as both the ministers assured him that the government and all MPs from all political parties will will discuss the issue of accountability in the failing examination system in Parliament.

After activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said the government has agreed to their request to hold talks at a neutral venue on Friday. Sources told news agency ANI the CJP delegation will meet with the Union ministers at 12.30 PM. The CJP reiterated to push forward their demands, including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the core demands of the students. The discussions will take place at the Constitution Club of India.

The Cockroach Janata Party has called for nationwide peaceful protests on Friday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. In a post on X, the party appealed to people across the country to join the demonstrations and urged student unions and other organisations to coordinate permissions and logistical arrangements for the protests. CJP also asked participants to publicly read out the students' demands during the demonstrations.