Dharmendra Pradhan resigns LIVE: Amit Shah says ‘students more important than positions’; police clear protest site

Video from Jantar Mantar shows moment when Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was seen raising victory slogans with supporters.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and proterstyers were seen rejoicing at the Jantar Mantar protest site soon after education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after sustained agitation.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reacted to the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a post on X, the movement said, “The Education Minister has submitted his resignation. Long live Student Power!”

In his resignation letter, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said he decided to step down to ensure the ongoing protests do not benefit "anti-national elements" and that students can focus on their education without facing legal consequences.

"...To ensure that anti-national elements are not benefitted by the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the country, that the nation remains united, students in India do not get tangled in legal complexities and focus on their studies and their career, I have tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister...," the letter reads.

CJP protest updates today: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday amid nationwide protests over the alleged NEET paper leak and growing demands for accountability in the examination system.

CJP protest updates today: A man heading to the Jantar Mantar protest site alleged that police stopped him for a security check and questioned him before allowing him to proceed.

"The police asked me to show what's inside my bag, and they didn't mention any reason for the check. I showed there was nothing, then they asked why are you covering your face? It's hot so I was covering my head, and my face was clearly visible," said 26-year-old Ankit Kumar.

CJP protest updates today: A protester at Jantar Mantar claimed he was briefly stopped and questioned by police before being allowed to enter the demonstration site.

"I have come without a bag, and not even carrying a water bottle. A policeman told me that I look suspicious. They were checking my friend's bag and I told them I have nothing. Then they asked where I was coming from and my name. Then they allowed me to go," said 28-year-old Satyam Yadav.

CJP protest updates today: The situation outside the Jantar Mantar protest site turned volatile on Saturday afternoon, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Around 1.56 pm, tear gas shells were fired after some people allegedly vandalised a police booth near the Tolstoy Road entrance to the protest site. Witnesses said windows of the booth were smashed, while one person was seen attempting to damage a CCTV camera mounted on a pole.

Police fired another round of tear gas at around 2.05 pm on Sansad Marg as tensions continued. Further details are awaited.

CJP protest updates today: Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest had gathered nationwide support and claimed the Centre was feeling the pressure of the movement.

"Our protest has been underway for the past 36 days. Some said not many people would join us, but protests have taken place across the country. The government is nervous, which is why it is calling for meetings," Dipke said.

NEET irregularities protest: Ahead of the next round of talks with the Centre, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das said the party expects the government to accept its "non-negotiable" demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

"We hope the government accepts our non-negotiable demand today, that Dharmendra Pradhan should resign or be dismissed from the Union Cabinet. This movement is not just about the CJP leadership or Sonam Wangchuk. It belongs to every young person protesting across the country, and they have one demand, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation," Das said.

He further added, "If the government does not accept our non-negotiable demand, we will give a bigger call for protest. If not today, then tomorrow, Delhi will witness a protest much larger than the one held on July 20."

NEET irregularities protest: Stone-pelting was reported during a student protest over the alleged NEET paper leak in Aurangabad, Bihar, on Saturday, reported news agency ANI. Injuries have also been reported, though the exact number of those hurt is not yet known.

Further details are awaited.

CJP protest updates today: Liquor shops across Delhi will operate with reduced hours over the weekend, closing at 8 pm instead of the usual 10 pm, as the Delhi government steps up precautionary measures amid the ongoing student protest at Jantar Mantar.

According to Delhi government officials cited by ANI, the decision was taken following inputs from the Delhi Police, which recommended additional preventive measures to maintain law and order in central Delhi.

CJP protest updates today: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a nationwide candle march on Sunday, July 26, as the agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak continues.

In a post on X, the party urged supporters across the country to participate in the march, scheduled to begin at 6 pm.

CJP protest updates today: Security remains tight around the Jantar Mantar protest site, with a heavy police presence at entry points from the Sansad Marg and Janpath sides. While protesters are being allowed to enter, security deployment has been significantly increased.

A brief scuffle broke out around 12 noon after a few protesters allegedly threw bottles towards police personnel. The situation was quickly brought under control by CJP volunteers and Nihang Sikh groups, who intervened to stop any escalation.

Meanwhile, repeated announcements are being made from the protest stage, urging demonstrators to maintain peace and ensure the agitation remains non-violent.

- via Snehil Sinha

CJP protest updates today: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Saturday accused the Delhi Police of preventing people from reaching the protest site at Jantar Mantar.

In a post on X, Das wrote, "The Cockroach Janta Party demands that the @DelhiPolice immediately cease and desist from unlawfully detaining, intimidating or preventing citizens from reaching Jantar Mantar and refrain from creating an atmosphere of fear and siege around Jantar Mantar."

CJP protest updates today: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday threw his weight behind the student protesters, saying their three key demands were "not negotiable" and insisting that Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan must be removed from office.

"The first demand is that the Education Minister, who is corrupt, incompetent, and misaligned, has to be sacked," Gandhi said.

Referring to speculation that Pradhan could be shifted to another ministry, Gandhi said such a move would not be acceptable. "There's some talk going on in Mr. Modi's cabinet that the solution is to move Dharmendra Pradhan from education to some other ministry. This is not acceptable to the students of India. It is not acceptable to anybody," he said.

Calling Pradhan "a symbol of corruption" and the alleged failure of the education system, Gandhi added, "Dharmendra Pradhan has to be sacked."

CJP protest updates today: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday hit back after Delhi Police said it had identified over 2,000 people with criminal backgrounds who attended the Jantar Mantar protest using Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras.

Responding to the claim, CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party would also prepare a list of police personnel accused of using excessive force against protesters.

"We too will give a list of Police personnel to Delhi Police, who cracked open the heads of children, dragged them on streets, broke the ribs of our volunteers and slapped young girls. We will identify them not through FRS but through public. We will make it public. Let's see what Delhi Police have to say to that," Ranka said.

CJP protest updates today: Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghosh on Saturday criticised the Centre over the security arrangements around the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Jantar Mantar, alleging that the government was trying to suppress the student-led agitation.

In a post on X, Ghosh wrote, "The 76 year old @narendramodi sits in his palace making unwatchable Insta reels to try and somehow compete with Gen Z, while his government 1) shuts down 18 metro stations, 2) shuts down all roads to Central Delhi, 3) puts in internet jammers, 4) stops food supply to children in Jantar Mantar, 5) gets Hindutva leaders to start abusing the kids, 6) brings in massive security forces to frisk, block and shove ordinary citizens. FAILED @narendramodi government."

CJP protest updates today: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday accused the Delhi Police of preventing food and volunteers from reaching the protest site at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrations over the alleged NEET paper leak are continuing.

In a post on X, CJP activist Ashutosh Ranka shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message alleging that police had set up checkpoints around 5 km from Jantar Mantar and were detaining students heading to the protest.

"Dear Delhi Police, do whatever you want. You cannot stop people from coming to Jantar Mantar. You cannot stop people from having food. You cannot stop people from helping us. Most importantly, you cannot stop Pradhan's resignation. He is going," Ranka wrote.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Centre over restrictions imposed amid the ongoing student protests, accusing the government of cracking down on those demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak.

In a post on X, Gandhi wrote: “The government has taken these cruel steps against students who are demanding their rights.”

He added, “Shut down the metro. Shut down the roads. Shut down the shops. Shut down the Internet. Shut down the food.”

"But there's just one thing they couldn't shut down, Mr Modi—paper leaks," Gandhi said.

CJP protest updates today: Ahead of the next round of talks with the Centre, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the meeting is expected to take place between 3.30 pm and 4 pm, though the venue is yet to be finalised.

"We need clarity over Dharmendra Pradhan - whether they will seek his resignation or not. We want an answer in Yes or No because there is not much scope for deliberation over this," Ranka said, reported ANI.

Ranka said the party expects the Centre to provide written confirmation on the two demands that have already received in-principle approval.

"They had given us the time for 3.30-4 pm today. The location has not been finalised yet. Discussions are very clear. We should get written confirmation for the two demands on which there has been in-principle agreement. So that they can be closed," he said.

He added that the CJP also wants a definitive response on its core demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.

CJP protest updates today: Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to join the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against the alleged NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar on Monday, people familiar with the matter said.

Banerjee is expected to visit the protest site to express solidarity with the students participating in the agitation, they said.

A senior TMC leader, requesting anonymity, said, “Banerjee will join the CJP’s protest in Delhi on Monday.” Read more

CJP protest updates today: Ahead of the next round of talks with the Centre, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the party expects written confirmation on compensation for affected families and assurances against legal action on protesters.

"We expect to receive a written agreement today on the issues of compensation and legal action. We also expect a response to the core demand of this movement, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan," Ranka said.

Warning of a stronger agitation if the key demand is not met, he added, “If Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign, the protest will intensify, and we will soon have to issue another nationwide call for agitation,” reported PTI.

CJP protest updates today: Officials have confirmed that the video shared by Sonam Wangchuk on Friday night, showing him arguing with authorities, was recorded at Safdarjung Hospital on July 21.

"This is from July 21, the day when the court informed Sonam's family that he can be moved to Medanta Hospital," an official said.

According to the official, Wangchuk was trying to leave for Medanta Hospital but was stopped because authorities were awaiting the formal court order. "He was trying to leave for Medanta Hospital, but was not allowed, as we were waiting for the court orders to come to us first and hence we were stopping him," the official said.

NEET irregularities protest: Members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) on Saturday blocked the Samastipur-Patna main road as part of a statewide bandh called over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against students during protests in Bihar.

The protesters are also demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with demonstrations being held at several locations across the state.