“Haar gaye, haar gaye, Tanashah haar gaye [dictator has been defeated]”, the crowd gathered at the Jantar Mantar protest site chanted, as news of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation reached the venue on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday (July 25, 2026) over the NEET paper leak row, saying it is not a matter of “individual prestige” for him. Mr. Pradhan 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.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, joined the crowd from the dais. Waving the tricolour, he sang A.R. Rahman’s rendition of Vande Mataram, as elsewhere the crowd danced to Chak De India.

Protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were seen hugging each other and dancing on stage. Many held up portraits and posters of Dr B R Ambedkar as the gathering celebrated the minister's resignation, which they described as a victory for their agitation.

Addressing the gathering, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the resignation demonstrated the strength of democratic protest.

"They used to say that this government does not see resignations. We say the world bends if there is someone who can make it bend," he told the crowd.

Mr. Dipke, however, said the agitation would continue despite Pradhan's resignation. He demanded ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the examination controversy and sought action against police personnel over their conduct during the protests on July 20.

Referring to remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Dipke said, "If you had not called us ‘cockroaches’, I would not have returned to India. If you had not called us 'cockroaches', the youth of the country would not have come out on the streets. If you had not called us ‘cockroaches’, Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation would not have happened." The remarks drew loud cheers from the gathering as celebrations continued under heightened security arrangements at the protest site.

Long queues are seen outside the protest site’s entrance as thousands of people continued to head to Jantar Mantar. Inside the protest site, chants continue. “Jang abhi bhi jaari hai, E20 ki baari hai, [Fight will continue, E20 is the next target] chanted a section of protesters.

Vrutika (17), a Class 12 student from Mumbai who came to the at the protest site came with her father said the protest should continue until education reforms are promised. She also added that protesters should demand for the PM’s resignation as well. “There are many pressing issues like inflation, financial distress, and disregard to Constitutional values. I came here to fight for my right to education,” she said.

With inputs from PTI

Published - July 25, 2026 04:12 pm IST