The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called off its 36-day protest on Saturday, after the Government of India accepted all of its major demands.
The CJP had led a sit-in at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding accountability over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, besides seeking wider reforms in the conduct of public examinations.
The successful culmination of the protest marks a historic win for the CJP, a movement that amassed the collective strength of Indian youth.
The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday over the NEET paper leak row. Pradhan's resignation was one of the key non-negotiables put forward by the CJP.
Former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Photo: PTI
The former minister said he is disturbed to see the series of events that have unfolded in the last 10 days and sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I took responsibility of NEET paper leak from day one,” he said.
He also said that anti national forces should not be allowed to take advantage of situation at Jantar Mantar and across country.
CJP announces end of student protest
The same day, after a joint press conference with the Union Government, the CJP formally withdrew its students' protest. The cal-off followed India government's acceptance of the movement's major demands.
The significant announcement came shortly after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan from the post of Union Education Minister, one of the key demands of the protesters.
It was also announced during the joint press conference that the government will quash all FIRs registered against the protesters and assured that no punitive action will be taken in the future.
Even though no final decision has been taken regarding the CJP demand for ₹1 crore compensation, the government stated that maximum amount that can be awarded within rules and regulations will be given to the families of students who took their lives following NEET paper leak.
The press conference was attended by Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh and CJP spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das.
The joint press conference between CJP and India government. Photo: PTI
The call-off was formally announced with immediate effect by CJP spokesperson Saurav Das during the joint press conference held with India government.
The CJP delegation urged protesters to peacefully vacate the Jantar Mantar protest premises as the government accepted all the major demands after 36 days of protest.
It was also announced during the joint press conference that the government will quash all FIRs registered against the protesters and assured that no punitive action will be taken in the future.
Even though no final decision has been taken regarding the CJP demand for ₹1 crore compensation, the government stated that maximum amount that can be awarded within rules and regulations will be given to the families of students who took their lives following NEET paper leak.
During the conference, CJP also stated that the next round of talks with the government will be held in four weeks.
'Rejoice but have humility in victory': Sonam Wangchuk
Sonam Wangchuk, in his media address after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) called off the student protest following India government's acceptance of major CJP demands, urged the protesters to rejoice in the victory with humility.
Activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk addresses media. Photo: PTI
Wangchuk congratulated everyone who partiicpated in the protest, especially members of CJP and remarked that India is going to witness an era of reforms. The reforms will not justy be limited to education sector but also in the governmental sector, stated Wangchuk. The activist and educator exhorted for a fear-free, injustice-free India.
Rahul Gandhi hails Pradhan's resignation
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated students and youth over Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and urged other groups to show courage and stand up, saying it is time to remove the government.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Photo: PTI
In a video message posted on X after Pradhan's resignation, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said, "Daro mat (don't be afraid). Let's get rid of this regime that is attacking India, destroying our Constitution, capturing all our institutions."
Gandhi said his resignation is a huge step towards rebuilding the education system.
Pralhad Joshi appointed as Union Education Minister after Pradhan's resignation
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as Education Minister following Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation from the post on Saturday.
Joshi has been given additional charge of the Education Ministry besides his role as Consumer Affairs Minister.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Photo: PTI
A Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said the President, as advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted the resignation of Pradhan with immediate effect.
It said that on the advice of the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Joshi, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Education, in addition to his own duties.
Celebrations erupt across Jantar Mantar
Jubilant scenes erupted at Jantar Mantar on Saturday as vitory chants rang out across the protest site after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post of Union Education Minister, following weeks of demonstrations over examination paper leaks.
As the celebrations continued, authorities began overseeing the winding down of the demonstration, urging protesters to disperse peacefully, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reopened all entry and exit gates at nearby stations to facilitate their movement.
Celebratory chants and slogans echoed through the historic protest site, marking a dramatic climax to weeks of mounting public outrage and agitations over examination paper leaks and systemic flaws in national competitive tests.
The resounding victory of the CJP protest, an agitation that tapped into the dreams, aspirations and pent-up frustration of the Indian youth, is one for the history books.
(With inputs from PTI)
