Day 19 of CJP protest: Wangchuk loses over 7 Kg as fast enters 11th day

Cockroach Janta Party supporters celebrate as Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns after protest over alleged examination irregularities and NEET paper leak, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 25, 2026. | A 21-year-old man, who was detained by the police in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj after being identified from a photograph taken while he was participating in a protest on July 26, was released on Wednesday (July 29, 2026).The victim, who did not wish to be identified, said that he was beaten up in police custody and the police wrongly accused him of vandalising a private vehicle, which belonged to a Bharatiya Janata Party member.“They first called my father to the police station and then my mother. It was then that I went and surrendered myself to the police. I was merely there to protest, I was not involved in any vandalism, yet I was kept in detention for more than a day,” the victim said.The Prayagraj Police had registered three First Information Reports (FIRs) at the Civil Lines police station on July 26 and July 27 in connection with the alleged vandalism of vehicles. The complainant in two cases are from he BJP, while in the third case, the son of a former BJP MP.When contacted, a police official who answered the phone of Manish Kumar Shandilya, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj City, said: “Nobody has been detained. People had been called for questioning based on CCTV footage, but they were released.”Ten others were arrested in the case.Rishav Ranjan of Congress party’s legal cell said that a 17-year-old boy from Bhagalpur in Bihar, who participated in a protest on July 25 was detained by the police from his home around 3.45 a.m. on July 26. The juvenile was among 40 others who were detained or arrested by the Bhagalpur Police after the protests turned violent.Atulesh Jha, Superintendent of Police, Bhagalpur City said the juvenile was produced before the juvenile justice board and the family was aware of his whereabouts. “As per the assurance given by the Bihar government, the case pertaining to the violence during the (students) protest is being withdrawn and all the people who were arrested are being released. We have written to the JJ Board informing them about the withdrawal of the case and he will be released,” Mr. Jha.The officer added that the police were also withdrawing photographs of 155 people, including boys and girls, that had been released on the basis of CCTV footage and showed individuals allegedly involved in violence during the protest.Several Instagram users claimed that the videos related to the July 20 protests were being taken down. Akshay Chandra Madhav, an Instagram user said that several videos related to the “violence and brutality” posted by him were deleted by the platform.On July 25, the Cockroach Janta Party called off its 36-day stir after the Centre agreed to its three main demands — ouster of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union Education Minister, compensation for the families of those who ended their lives after the cancellation of NEET on May 3, and withdrawal of FIRs against the protesters and an assurance that no future action would be taken against them. The CJP had said that the agitation will resume if the “harassment of students at the hands of the police” continued. Published - July 29, 2026 11:05 pm IST

Students staging a sit-in protest at Karnatak University, Dharwad, on Wednesday (July 29) to protest against the fee hike in Karnatak Science College. | The ‘University Chalo’ protest march, held under the aegis of All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), concluded in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, where a demonstration and sit-in was held.Addressing the protesters, AISDO State secretariat member Vinay Chandra accused the State government of shifting the financial burden to the students by steadily reducing grants to government educational institutions and universities. “The government is pursuing policies that promote the privatisation of education by converting educational institutions into self-financing entities,” he claimed.AIDSO Dharwad district unit secretary Shashikala Meti said that from the current academic year, the admission fees at Karntak Science College had been increased by ₹6,413 for BSc students and ₹10,522 for BCA students.She said that most students of the college were from agrarian families. As drought had already hit them hard, they were facing financial crises. Ms. Meti urged the university authorities to immediately withdraw the fee hike and also refund the additional amount towards fees already collected from some students.The protesters subsequently submitted a memorandum to KUD registrar N. Ramanjaneyalu, who promised to consider their demands. AIDSO office-bearers Shantesh Nandikolmath, Siddu Chippalakatti and others led the protest. Published - July 29, 2026 06:54 pm IST

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk along with youngsters during a protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Dharna Chowk near Indira Park in Hyderabad on June 14, 2026. | The march is scheduled to begin at 4.30 p.m. from People’s Plaza and proceed to the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Statue, subject to permission from the Hyderabad Police.According to a poster released by the organisation, the event would also provide an opportunity for supporters to come together and discuss the party’s future course of action. Speaking about the programme, Vijay Mallangi, Telangana representative of the Cockroach Janta Party, said the event was not intended as a celebration. “This is not exactly a victory celebration but a remembrance of the 21 students who died by suicide after the NEET paper leak,” he said.The proposed march will be the Cockroach Janta Party’s second official protest in Hyderabad. Their first demonstration in the city was held on June 14 and was attended by activist Sonam Wangchuk.The announcement comes days after the CJP called off its 36-day protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 25 following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister. Published - July 28, 2026 05:51 pm IST

A taxi driver in his bathroom towel protesting in front of Crowne Plaza in Kochi against inadequate washroom facilities. The need for adequate number of well-maintained washrooms, common resting spaces, and dormitories for drivers of cars, buses, and other vehicles that ferry guests to hotels and resorts, is increasingly being raised in different tourism forums.The matter is yet again in the spotlight, following a protest by a few tourist taxi car drivers at Crowne Plaza here on Friday (July 24, 2026), seeking adequate restroom facilities. A few drivers, in their bath towel and T-shirts and shorts staged a protest outside the hotel lobby.However, hotel management sources termed the protest as a case of “clogged drain in the washroom for vehicle crew”, which, according to them, was “rectified the same day". Alternatively, the drivers had the option of using staff washrooms, they claimed.Citing the need for adequate number of washrooms and resting space for drivers who need rest after long trips, Shiyas S., a representative of Online Taxi Drivers’ Union (OTDU), said drivers had been complaining about the lack of basic infrastructure for them at innumerable hotels in the State. “In one such incident in Munnar, drivers had to force open a restroom at a hotel, after the management refused to unlock it for them. Hospitality stakeholders often fail to remember that using washrooms, when required, is a basic human need. Our union has been pressurising the Tourism and Transport departments to display in hotels government orders on the need to provide such infrastructure for drivers, who often ferry tourists for days together to various destinations,” he added.Incidentally, the drivers’ protest came a day after travel operators from West Asia sought such infrastructure at all hotels and resorts in Kerala, at a meeting attended by, among others, Minister for Tourism P.C. Vishnunadh. Highlighting the plight of drivers who often had to sleep in their vehicles overnight, speakers here had expressed concern at the state of affairs in many luxury and other hotels.Citing the need for adequate number of washrooms and resting space for drivers, Pramod A., who owns and drives a taxi car, said drivers are often left to fend for themselves, and this sometimes leads to disputes with hotel staff over the use of washrooms. Published - July 26, 2026 01:15 am IST

Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast in the presence of two Union Ministers, says the co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body. Photo: Special Arrangement Sonam Wangchuk broke his fast on Friday (July 24, 2026), said Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convenor of the Leh Apex Body. He broke the fast in the presence of two Union Ministers, Mr. Dorjay said.He broke the fast on certain conditions. The government gave a written assurance that cases against students would be taken back if they were not violent, said Mr. Dorjay. The government also gave a written assurance that they will consider compensation for suicide victims, he said.Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Thursday urged supporters of the ongoing students’ movement to remain peaceful, saying he was pained by reports that “anti-social elements” were trying to provoke violence elsewhere while the protest at Jantar Mantar remained “peaceful”.Marking the 26th day of his indefinite hunger strike, Wangchuk said in a post on X, “Peace and only peace is my way.” “While at Jantar Mantar the protests remain peaceful, I’m pained to learn that elsewhere some antisocial elements are taking advantage of the peaceful protests to provoke violence,” he said.“No matter what the other side does our response must only be flowers. Please keep this tradition at all costs,” Wangchuk added.His appeal came days after the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march, during which the Delhi Police stopped thousands of protesters from marching towards Parliament by using tear gas and baton charges. Protesters have also alleged the use of pellet guns and tasers.In the aftermath of the crackdown, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleged that attempts were being made to portray the student movement as violent and to link it with incidents elsewhere in the national capital. The allegations were rejected by the police.Earlier in the day, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo also defended the protesters, saying it was “deeply painful” to see students being portrayed negatively.In another post on X later in the day, Angmo praised the conduct of the young protesters.Also read: Jantar Mantar protest LIVE“Watching India’s Gen Z over the past few days has filled me with hope,” she said, adding that they had “looked after strangers like family, shared food and water, cleaned and swept their own protest sites, cared for the elderly, sung Jana Gana Mana and songs of hope together, stayed disciplined under immense provocation” and kept the movement alive through “countless acts of selfless service”.“If this is the generation we have raised, India’s future is in safe hands. Indian Gen Z... you are not just the future of this country. You are role models to the world,” she said, while thanking parents for raising “compassionate, responsible and courageous citizens”.The CJP-led agitation began on June 20, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Wangchuk, who joined the agitation on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, is currently admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He has offered to end his fast if the Centre assures that no punitive action will be taken against peaceful protesters who participated in the movement. Published - July 24, 2026 01:14 am IST

Rapper Vedan at a protest meet organised in solidarity with the students protesting at Jantar Mantar in Kochi on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) | An officer of the Ernakulam South police station said the case has been registered by the police on its own for organising the event without its permission and for obstructing the traffic on the road where the programme was held two days ago.While Vedan, also known as Hirandas Murali, has not been named in the FIR, his manager, who was also the organiser of the event, is the main accused along with around 200 other “identifiable persons” who were present when the programme was held.The officer said that the police were working on identifying who all were present and their names would be added to the FIR accordingly.Thousands of students, activists of the CJP and leaders of Opposition political parties are protesting in Delhi against the alleged irregularities in various exams, including NEET, held at the national level and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Published - July 24, 2026 10:25 am IST

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters protest on road seeking resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and NEET paper leak, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 22, 2026. | Mr. Das said he had spoken to Sonam Wangchuk several times during the day and that they agreed the protest should remain peaceful. “The strength of our movement lies in peace and nonviolence. Proud of every Cockroach Janta Party supporter who has shown remarkable resilience, courage, and patience despite the brutal crackdown by the Govt.,” said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke.Also read: The cockroach dilemma facing India’s political partiesMr. Wangchuk on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) said he would end his indefinite hunger strike if the Centre gives an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory action would be taken against students and youth who participated in the protest against alleged examination irregularities.Delhi Police has registered 10 FIRs against unidentified persons in connection with the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, an officer said on Wednesday (July 22). Of these, four FIRs have been filed at the Sansad Marg police station, three at Connaught Place, and one each at Mandir Marg, Kartavya Path and Barakhamba Road.Follow here for live updates,July 23, 2026 06:45 Delhi HC dismisses PIL over Sonam Wangchuk’s removal from Jantar MantarThe Delhi High Court on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the forcible shifting of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar protest site to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike.A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the issue of Mr. Wangchuk’s hospitalisation at Safdarjung Hospital was earlier raised by his wife before the high court and the matter was “disposed of to their satisfaction”.July 23, 2026 06:41 19-year-old CJP protester may lose vision in right eye due to pellet injury, says familyA 19-year-old protester hit by a pellet gun during police action at the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP)July 20 march to Parliament may lose vision in his right eye, his family said.Sahil Lochab, a resident of Najafgarh in southwest Delhi, underwent a surgery to remove pellets at the AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre on Tuesday (July 21, 2026). Doctors have informed that there is only a “1% chance” of vision returning in the injured eye as the pupil was damaged, his family said.Read the article here, Published - July 23, 2026 06:39 am IST

Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. File | Also Read :CJP protest in Delhi LIVE: Thousands regroup at protest site in Jantar MantarDefending Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the senior BJP leader attempted to deflect accountability by demanding a probe into alleged stone-pelting during the party's march, asking, "Did any of our Ministers leak papers? Did Chandrashekhar Bawankule or Dharmendra Pradhan leak any paper?"His remarks came a day after Delhi Police and Central paramilitary forces used tear gas against thousands of protesters marching toward Parliament on the opening day of the monsoon session. Protesters demanding Pradhan's resignation were met with baton charges near Parliament Street as they attempted to push past police barricades.The Minister, known for making controversial remarks, alleged that a specific group and ideology had entered society to damage Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis."This cockroach [CJP] agitation is a nautanki. As they can't find any real issues, they are scheming to create resentment among young people. Some youth have joined the movement out of genuine distress because NEET was cancelled and they are upset, but that doesn't mean the government didn't take action," he told reporters in Nagpur.As the CJP agitation and march towards Parliament rocked the national capital on Monday (July 20, 2026), demonstrations broke out in cities of Maharashtra in their support.Police detained several protesters in central Mumbai as they gathered at Chaityabhoomi, the cremation place of B.R. Ambedkar, to express solidarity with the 'Sansad Chalo' march, while angry demonstrators, including students and senior citizens, gathered at Samvidhan Square in Nagpur and vowed to press ahead with their agitation until the Education Minister steps down.In Pune, the students' association of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) said it has extended support to the CJP and Mr. Wangchuk in their protest over alleged irregularities in the education sector and exam paper leaks.Mr. Bawankule claimed that the government acted firmly, brought stricter controls and handled the NEET issue properly.Instead of suggesting reforms, the issue is being politicised by demanding the Minister's resignation, he said.Mr. Bawankule also demanded an inquiry into alleged stone-pelting incidents during the protest march in Delhi."This agitation was done purposely to defame the government and create resentment against the government," he said. Published - July 21, 2026 06:00 pm IST

Police personnel using lathi charge to disperse supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during a protest march to demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET exam irregularities, near Parliament House, in New Delhi on Monday. July 20, 2026. | The Court refused to entertain the request immediately, remarking, “Don’t drag the Court into all this. It will come up tomorrow.”CJP protest in Delhi LIVE: Dipke apologises to CJP supporters who were ‘brutally beaten’ by policeThe police lathi-charged and dispersed protesters using tear gas in a crackdown against the CJP’s march to the Parliament in Delhi on Monday (July 20, 2026), leaving several people injured. At least 38 of the injured were taken to the Lady Hardinge Medical College and around 65 to the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, said sources, with fractures, swelling due to tear gas, and head and eye injuries.Despite mobile internet was switched off throughout Central Delhi, visuals of the violent police crackdown against protesters flooded social media.Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday (July 21, 2026) that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, saying the police action against protesters during the march has prompted him to extend the fast. Published - July 21, 2026 11:53 am IST