Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: Victory of democracy, says Sonam Wangchuk on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
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CJP marks ‘first victory’ after Pradhan’s resignation announcement, Abhijeet Dipke says two demands remain; Sonam Wangchuk says, ‘Victory of democracy’
Updated - July 25, 2026 05:32 pm IST
Joint press conference with CJP spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Union Minister J.P. Nadda and MoS Jitendra Singh on July 25, 2026. Screengrab: Special Arrangement
Dharmendra Pradhan, in a post on X on Saturday (July 25, 2026), announced that he has tendered his resignation from the post of Union Education Minister.
In a letter posted to X, Mr. Pradhan stated that in order to avoid “anti-national forces” from exploiting the situation at Jantar Mantar and across the nation, and “so that the unity of the country remains intact, so that the future of no student in India gets tangled in legal complexities, and so that our children spend their time studying and focusing on building their careers,” he has decided to quit from his position.
Prime Minister Narendra is yet to provide any public comment on this.
Also Read | The ‘cockroaches’ who refuse to crawl away
Loud cheers erupted at the Cockroach Janata Party protest site at Jantar Mantar after its founder Abhijeet Dipke announced Mr. Pradhan resignation announcement before the gathering, declaring that the movement had achieved its first breakthrough. Mr. Dipke, however, made it clear that the agitation would continue.
With Mr. Pradhan stepping down, Dipke described it as the movement’s “first victory” but reiterated that the remaining demands — compensation for the bereaved families and action against those responsible for the alleged paper leak — were yet to be fulfilled.
In a joint press conference with CJP spokespersons Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and Union Minister J.P. Nadda and MoS Jitendra Singh, Saurav Das says that “All FIRs filed against protesters all over the country will be withdrawn, government has assured us.”
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister marks an unusual interlude in a political career that had enjoyed a steady rise. A controversy of such magnitude engulfed him that it became a contest between his staying in office and addressing the anxieties of an entire generation, with GenZ protests ultimately emerging victorious.
Dharmendra Pradhan: In the eye of the storm
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid protests over exam paper leaks, marking a significant turn in his political career.
Shops and stalls around Jantar Mantar, usually bustling with shoppers, have worn a deserted look through the week as the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest disrupted business, leaving traders with poor sales, empty parking lots and mounting concerns over their livelihoods.
The impact of the week-long protest has extended beyond traffic diversions and Metro station closures, with traders in the Jantar Mantar flea market and Connaught Place saying they have witnessed one of the weakest business weeks in recent months.
Many shopkeepers said they either kept their shops shut on several days or saw barely any customers walking in. On Saturday afternoon, when the market would normally be crowded, only a handful of stalls remained open while most shutters were down.
Stone-pelting broke out at Jantar Mantar shortly after the announcement of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation on Saturday, prompting security forces to lob tear gas and resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd, sources said.
The clashes erupted after a section of protesters allegedly turned violent and hurled stones at security personnel.
The source said that two police personnel sustained injuries on their head and they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.
The situation is now under control and adequate force remains deployed in the area, the source said.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday described Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as “a victory of democracy”, and credited the nationwide student-led agitation and citizens’ participation for the outcome.
In a post on X, Mr. Wangchuk described the development as “a victory of democracy, direct democracy... straight from the streets.” Calling it “a victory of peace, patience and perseverance”, the environmentalist congratulated the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Gen Z and citizens across the country for participating in the nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak.
