Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: ‘Pradhan’s resignation non-negotiable’, says CJP in meeting with Union Ministers

Videos surfaced on social media on Friday showing a man asserting he resigned from the Delhi Police as a constable in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, a claim authorities rejected.

The Directorate General Home Guards, Delhi Government, said in an X post that the individual posting reels/videos on Instagram as Ravi Lovey has been identified as Ravi Kumar. “He is not a Delhi Police constable and has no association with the Delhi Police,” the directorate said.

In a viral video, the individual claimed that he is a Delhi Police jawan holding a good position.

“The day I got to know that the protest would take place, I went on medical leave. I got a call again that my leave was finished. I want to extend my medical leave. The Delhi Police denied extending my medical leave,” he can be heard saying.

He alleged that the police force “pressurised him” to join the force and he resigned.

“Quarter nahi chahiye, sarkari gadi nahi chahiye, sarkari salary nahi chahiye” (I don’t want a quarter, government vehicle or government’s salary),” he said.

According to the DG Home Guards, Ravi Kumar was serving as a volunteer with the Delhi Home Guards, which functions under the Directorate General of Home Guards, a separate organisation from the Delhi Police. “In view of his misconduct, he has been discharged from the Delhi Home Guards with immediate effect,” it said.

– PTI

The “violence” against female students during the protests in New Delhi shows how hollow the BJP-led Union government’s ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ slogan is, claimed Congress leader Shobha Oza in Bhopal on Friday.

These students were not only injured but also subjected to all manner of brutal acts, molestation, obscenity, and verbal abuse, Ms. Oza, former All India Women Congress president, told reporters.

“The terrifying scenes clearly demonstrate how hollow the slogan ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ is for the ruling BJP,” she said while alleging that the brutality of the police force has crossed all limits during the ongoing student protests in Delhi.

The students were hit on the face, legs, etc., she said. Such barbarity was witnessed for the first time in history, Ms. Oza added.

Ms. Oza said the Narendra Modi government, “stunned by the large number of protesters who had gathered at Jantar Mantar to demonstrate peacefully”, vented its anger on the protest leaders instead of accepting the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

– PTI

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday alleged that the Delhi police’s crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march seemed like an act of “revenge” rather than crowd control.

Mr. Thackeray, in a post on X, questioned the alleged use of force against students protesting the NEET paper leak, and remarked that if teachers face action for meting out corporal punishments, the same should apply to the police who assaulted students and those who ordered them to do so.

“One can understand if the police had resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse protesting students, but what was witnessed appeared like some kind of revenge,” he wrote.

He claimed that videos circulating on social media showed not only protesting students but also several bystanders being beaten during the police action, alleging that such force would not have been used without orders from higher authorities.

– PTI

“It has been a very successful movement for us as it has awakened the entire country. Hope it also serves as a wake-up call to the present regime,” said Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. She was speaking with the mediapersons outside Medanta Hospital on Friday.

-Ashok Berwal

RSS national executive member Indresh Kumar urged climate activist Sonam Wangchuk to keep his agitation “Indian” after the latter ended his hunger strike, alleging that “foreign forces” had taken over the movement and warning the youth against becoming “agents” of anti-national elements. 

“These are separate in nature. Sonam Wangchuk is one person, and the CJP is totally different. Political parties too have different agendas. They have mixed it together to defame everyone’s character. That is why Sonam Wangchuk has distanced himself from it.

“I would say that he should understand that his movement has been taken over by foreigners. Therefore, he should keep his movement Indian. He should not become a puppet of foreigners,” Mr. Kumar told reporters.

-PTI

The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a probe by the NIA or any “specialised agency” into the Cockroach Janta Party-led march to Parliament on July 20 to protest against the NEET-UG paper leak and other related issues.

A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the alleged incidents of vandalism were given the knowledge and notice of the authorities, who would take action according to the law.

The bench also said it was for the Centre to refer any case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation, and not the court.

-PTI

“The Central Government has expressed its agreement to provide compensation to the families of the deceased students and to withdraw the FIRs registered against the protesters, but we will accept nothing less than the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. We have given the government 24 hours to consider this,” said a representative of the Cockroach Janta Party.

-Vijaita Singh

After his meeting with representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party, Union MInister J.P. Nadda said that the representatives will meet again on Saturday for further talks.

-PTI

We told the Union ministers that our demand for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is non-negotiable, says CJP’s Saurav Das after the meeting with the Government.

“We have demanded ₹1 crore compensation for families of suicide victims, and that FIR against protesters should be withdrawn,” he said.

-PTI

A crucial meeting between representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the government is underway at the Vithalbhai Patel House on Friday as part of efforts to reach an amicable solution to the outfit’s demands regarding exam irregularities.

While the government is represented by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh, the CJP was represented by its national spokesperson Saurav Das and another youth.

This was the third official meeting between the CJP and the government.

-PTI

Nearly 500 students marched through central Hyderabad on Friday (July 24, 2026) afternoon as part of a Statewide bandh called by student organisations, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and condemning the police action against protesters during the recent Parliament march in Delhi.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assured that anyone playing with the future of students would face strict punishment, stating that the government would set up fast-track courts to ensure speedy justice in cases of paper leaks.

Speaking to reporters in Gwalior, Mr. Scindia described the NEET paper leak as “wrong” and emphasised that protecting hard-working students is the utmost responsibility of every government.

PTI

New Delhi metro station has been closed till further instructions. No interchange facility shall be available at this station, according to the post on X. 

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“Last night, the Education Secretary was transferred. He was replaced by an IAS officer from the Animal Husbandry Department who has severe multi-crore corruption charges against him,” Mr. Dipke wrote on X.

“The entire crisis around paper leaks and NEET was about systemic corruption. Replacing one bureaucrat with another facing serious corruption allegations is a direct INSULT to young people across India,” he added.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday (July 24, 2026) 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.

PTI

Sonam Wangchuk termed the end of his 26-day hunger strike the “beginning of accountability”, saying he decided to call off the fast only after receiving assurances from the government and MPs across parties on his key demands for examination reforms and protection of the peaceful protesters.

The educator-activist also said that he extended his fast by two days because negotiations with the Centre were continuing.

Hearing a PIL seeking an NIA probe into the CJP-led Jantar Mantar protest, the Chief Justice observed that the law lays down a specific process – an FIR must first be registered, the matter forwarded by the State to the Centre, and only then can the Centre decide whether it is a fit case for an NIA investigation.

“You are asking us to form an opinion on the fitness of the case. That task has been entrusted to the Central government. Can we substitute its view?” the Bench remarked.

The matter will be heard again at 2.30 p.m. today.

Rocky Soibam

Delhi Police Mobile Command and Control Vehicles, including Ikshana vehicles are capturing live footage of the protest and scanning protesters on site at Jantar Mantar.

Photo credit: Srimanshi Kaushik

After DU, JNU has asked students to refrain from participating in protest in or around Jantar Mantar. JNU said in a notice on Friday, “All stakeholders of JNU’s epistemic community are advised to act responsibly and prioritise their personal safety. In accordance with the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s directions on public demonstrations, you are requested to refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.” ​

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Criticising Delhi university’s restrictions on protest, Rahul Gandhi said, “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.”

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Photo credit: Suruchi Kumari

CJP spokesperson Sourav Das said, “If narrative is being pushed that we are foreign funded, why is the government engaging with Sonam Wangchuk? Why is the government engaging with us?

We also know PILs are being filed against the movement in courts. NIA probe as been requested through PIL, we request the judges of the country to not let their order politicise or weaponised by political considerations. We request the judges to stand on the right side of the history, stand with the future of the country who are out on road for so those days.”- Suruchi Kumari

Abhijeet Dipke said that the police must take back all the cases it has registered on protesters who joined the Parliament March on July 20.

Answering a question, he said the protest will go on. “Now the entire country has joined us. We will not step back until we get the resignation.” Mr. Dipke said.

– Suruchi Kumari

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Friday (July 24, 2026), “We are relived that Sonam sir broke his hunger strike after 26 days. We thank him for his stance. The protest is now happening in different states, the movement is now bigger than ever. Dharmendra Pradhan must resign. Until he resigns, the country’s youth will not step back.”- Suruchi Kumari

CJP spokesperson Sourav Das said, “We are launching a website where we request all protestors to identify the police personnel who attacked them and hurt them on July 20. We will identify each one of them who used brute force and we will push for FIR to be filed on each one of them. If Delhi Police refuses to file FIR, we will go to Court. We have the support of lawyers from all over country.”- Suruchi Kumari

“Ashutosh and I have been called at 12.30 p.m. to meet J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh,” Saurav Das said while addressing a press conference. “We had kept two demands, including non-negotiables, after the first round of talks. The meeting will take place at a neutral place instead of their house and office. Yesterday, we got a confirmation that the meeting will take place at the Constitution Club,” he added.

-Suruchi Kumari

Internet shutdown around Jantar Mantar reaches the Delhi High Court. On being mentioned, the HC agreed to hear the PIL on an urgent basis on Friday (July 24, 2026).

-Rocky Soibam

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka says, “We want to make it very clear that until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, the protest at Jantar Mantar will continue.”- ANI

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Friday, “Physically I’m still feeling weak due to fever, but the fight must go on. Our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.”

Two days after ​The Hindu’s report on use of pellet guns​ by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) against unarmed protesters during July 20 march to Parliament, a CRPF official said that they are “verifying media reports” on the issue. The official said no action taken so far, veracity is still being ascertained. 

Earlier, Delhi Police had denied the usage of pellet guns against protesters. Pellet guns and shock-batons are part of RAF’s gear, which worked alongside Delhi Police and was deployed in and around Jantar Mantar on July 20. RAF is the specialised anti-riot unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

– Vijaita Singh

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CRPF ‘verifying’ reports of pellet guns used against protesters in Delhi: official

CRPF is verifying reports of pellet gun use against protesters in Delhi, following allegations from a recent protest march.

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In view of the nationwide CJP protest by students, police in Patna, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Katihar, Jehanabad, Arwal etc. districts are on high alert. Student hostels, lodges and hotels too are being searched by police.- Amarnath Tewary

The Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday (July 24, 2026), said in a post on X addressing PM Modi, “Before coming to Parliament today, come after dismissing Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologise to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathis, batons, and Pellet Guns to suppress the students’ voices. Then we are ready for a detailed Discussion on the education system.”

More than two decades after the 2003 Common Admission Test (CAT) paper leak, two Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases against Ranjit Singh alias Ranjit “Don” — described as an “education mafia” figure in some media reports — remain pending before courts in Delhi and Patna. The Patna case is at the trial stage, while the proceedings in the other case are yet to reach that point.

Read the full story here,

Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said on Friday (July 24, 2026), “The desperate and hassled-looking Pradhan Mantri finally broke his two-month-long silence late last night via a video message to speak on paper leaks. Remember that the Modi Sarkar has long denied that the NEET-UG 2026 exam was leaked. The Mantri Pradhan deliberately refused to use the word leak in his press conference and the Education Ministry officially denied that a paper leak occurred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education. It is only the outpouring of public anger over the last two months that has made the Pradhan Mantri accept the truth.”

DMRC has closed 17 stations from 07:30 a.m. on Friday (July 24, 2026) until further notice due to heightened security concerns amid the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar. ​

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“The Modi government routinely uses violence in preference to dialogue. The pattern is clear, from farmers to activists. But this week, even a government as insensitive as the one that has set new standards of authoritarian governance, sank to a new low. Instead of reaching out with understanding to our future doctors and engineers, teachers and civil servants, entrepreneurs and nation builders, it unleashed the repressive power of the state on them. This can neither be forgiven or forgotten,” writes Sonia Gandhi.

Maintaining pressure on the government both inside and outside Parliament, the Opposition refused the government’s offer of a debate on paper leaks, arguing that any discussion must be preceded by the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Later in the evening, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc MPs in a symbolic march to Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg, where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, expressing solidarity with students protesting against paper leaks.

Read the story here,

With a nationwide protest call on Friday (July 24, 2026), Delhi University on Thursday evening asked its students to “stay away from Jantar Mantar” and prioritise safety and compliance with the law. The advisory comes amid criticism from students and teachers after the university and some colleges backed the government’s actions.

Read the story here,

Three days after several videos of police using disproportionate force, including pellet guns, against unarmed men and women during the July 20 march to Parliament emerged on social media, the Delhi Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had yet to issue a statement or clarify their position.

Read the story here,

Saurav Das, Chief Spokesperson, Cockroach Janta Party, says, “… , a discussion has been called for, we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen…”- ANI

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has said the “strictest action” the government could take against examination irregularities was to remove Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that a bill providing for stringent action against paper leaks would be introduced in Parliament.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, in response to the prime minister’s remarks, said, “Modi ji, remove Dharmendra Pradhan tomorrow. That’s the strictest action you can take.” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke also reacted to the Prime Minister’s announcement by taking to X to share an image of a man locking the gate of a compound with no boundary walls, in an apparent swipe at the proposed legislation.

-PTI