Anna Hazare writes to PM Modi amid CJP protest, urges 'minister's resignation'

Hazare also raised concerns over reports of 22 students dying by suicide following the cancellation of the medical entrance exam.

Updated on: Jul 23, 2026, 06:19:21 IST

Edited by Danita Yadav

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Social activist Anna Hazare wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, calling on the government to engage in dialogue. The activist, who led the 2011 anti-corruption movement and RTI activism, also told the prime minister that a minister's resignation would send a strong message.

Social Activist Anna Hazare has called on PM Modi to engage with the protestors and show accountability (ANI )

In the letter to the PM, Anna Hazare stated that taking the resignation of a minister would not weaken the government but send a strong message to other ministers about accountability, reported news agency PTI. Follow live updates on the CJP protest here.

"If accountability is fixed and the resignation of a minister is taken, the government will not lose power. Rather, it will send a clear message to other ministers that if they do not discharge the responsibilities of their departments properly, they too will have to relinquish their posts. This will make the functioning of the government more accountable and effective," wrote Hazare.

Also Read | 'PM afraid of Wangchuk': Kejriwal recalls Anna Hazare 2011 movement, proposes activist for education minister

The social activist also raised concerns over the police action and brutality against students and peaceful protestors, adding that excessive use of force needs to be avoided in a democracy.

His remarks came amid widespread calls for union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over exam irregularities. The demand has been central to the CJP protest and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike in Delhi.

However, Hazare didn't directly name Pradhan when he wrote to the Prime Minister that a minister's resignation wouldn't weaken the government.

Hazare flags concern over NEET leak

Referring to the NEET examination, Hazare wrote in his letter that allegations of question paper leaks and serious irregularities surfaced in 2024 and again in 2026.

He also raised concerns over reports of 22 students dying by suicide following the cancellation of the medical entrance exam.

The activist also wrote that whenever irregularities or scams came to light, responsibility was often placed solely on lower-level officials, while the government claimed credit for positive outcomes.

He added that the government should respond with accountability rather than treating the peaceful protest as a law-and-order issue.

"The government should patiently listen to the protesters, build trust and resolve differences through constructive dialogue in keeping with Gandhian principles and democratic values," he added further.

(with inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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