Government Accepts CJP's Demands as NEET Protest Ends After 36 Days; Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns

KalimNews, July 25, 2026, New Delhi: The 36-day-long agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET-UG 2026 controversy officially came to an end on Saturday after the Central Government accepted the organisation's key demands. Among the most significant developments were the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the government's assurance to withdraw FIRs filed against protesters, and a commitment to provide financial compensation, within the legal framework, to the families of students who died by suicide following the cancellation of the NEET examination.

Following discussions between government representatives and CJP leaders, both sides jointly announced the withdrawal of the agitation. CJP National Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka confirmed that the movement had achieved its primary objectives after 36 days of sustained protests and appealed to supporters across the country to peacefully vacate protest sites.

Union Minister J.P. Nadda announced that the government would take steps to ensure the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against protesters and would extend financial assistance, in accordance with government rules, to the families affected by the NEET tragedy. CJP representatives described the government's assurances as a major breakthrough while noting that certain issues, including a public apology from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Delhi Police, were still awaiting resolution.

The turning point in the agitation came earlier in the day when Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from his post, accepting moral responsibility amid the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. 

In his resignation, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said the interests of students were paramount and that the ongoing controversy should not cast a shadow over their future. He stated that he had accepted responsibility for the examination leak from the very beginning and expressed deep concern over the developments of the past several days. At the same time, he appealed for peace and cautioned that anti-national elements should not be allowed to exploit the situation.

Pradhan's resignation fulfilled one of the principal demands raised by the protesters, who had accused the government of failing to prevent the examination leak and alleged irregularities in the CBSE's on-screen evaluation process. The movement had also demanded comprehensive reforms in the conduct of competitive public examinations to restore public confidence.

The announcement sparked jubilant scenes at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where thousands of protesters had been camping for weeks. Supporters celebrated by waving the national flag, embracing one another, chanting patriotic slogans, singing, and displaying portraits of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Many participants described the resignation as a victory for students and democratic protest.

Opposition leaders also reacted swiftly. The Congress Party described the minister's resignation as a significant victory for students but maintained that accountability must extend beyond a single resignation. Party leaders called for further action against those responsible for the examination scandal and demanded accountability for the police action taken against demonstrators.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke welcomed the resignation but clarified that the organisation's broader campaign for justice would continue until all promises were implemented. He maintained that the movement had secured an important milestone but emphasised that two critical demands still required attention. According to Dipke, every family that lost a child to suicide in the aftermath of the NEET controversy should receive compensation of ₹1 crore, and legal action should be initiated against police personnel accused of using excessive force during the July 20 protest.

Dipke concluded by saying that the movement had demonstrated the strength of democratic participation and urged authorities not to underestimate the resolve of ordinary citizens. Earlier in the day, he also disclosed that he had been diagnosed with typhoid but insisted that his illness would not weaken the movement's determination.

Before the agreement was reached, tensions had continued to rise at Jantar Mantar. Protesters accused authorities of restricting access to food, drinking water, toilets and medical facilities, while women participants highlighted severe hygiene challenges caused by the lack of basic amenities. Volunteer doctors also reported disruptions to medical services at the protest site.

The situation briefly turned volatile when protesters attempted to remove police barricades near Tolstoy Road, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Police later registered additional criminal cases linked to the clashes, invoking several serious charges, including attempted murder and assault on public servants. Officials confirmed that facial recognition technology was being used to identify those allegedly involved in the violence, increasing the total number of FIRs related to the protests to fifteen.

Delhi Police also alleged that an organised misinformation campaign involving AI-generated content, deepfakes and manipulated social media posts had attempted to spread false narratives about the agitation. According to the police, more than 400 Pakistan-linked social media accounts suspected of participating in the campaign had been blocked. Authorities urged the public to verify information before sharing it online and denied reports suggesting that a large-scale crackdown on protesters had been planned.

The protest also had a significant impact on the national capital. Eighteen Delhi Metro stations were temporarily closed as a security precaution, while liquor outlets across the city were instructed to shut earlier than usual during the weekend. Police advised commuters to avoid central Delhi due to heavy traffic congestion and security arrangements.

Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had supported the student movement and completed a 26-day hunger strike, defended the sincerity of his protest and questioned why he should have to prove his commitment after enduring considerable physical hardship. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, also expressed concern over the presence of police personnel around the hospital where he had been admitted, although hospital authorities clarified that videos circulating online had been recorded before they received the Delhi High Court's written order permitting his transfer to another medical facility.

The day also saw concerns over the health of a 21-year-old woman who had been critically injured during the protests. Doctors at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital reported that she was showing steady clinical improvement.

The CJP-led agitation began after the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following revelations of a widespread paper leak. What initially started as a student movement evolved into one of the country's largest youth-led protests, attracting support from civil society groups, activists and opposition leaders. The deaths of several NEET aspirants by suicide, allegations of police excesses during demonstrations and demands for greater transparency in public examinations became central issues throughout the campaign.

With the government's acceptance of the principal demands and the formal withdrawal of the agitation, attention now shifts to the implementation of the assurances announced during Saturday's talks. Protest leaders have indicated that while the demonstrations have ended, they will continue monitoring the government's actions to ensure that every commitment made to students and their families is fully honoured.