NEET row: India education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid CJP protests

In a major political development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, capitulating to the primary demand of protesters camped at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for over a month.

The announcement came on X ahead of crucial negotiations between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had made Pradhan’s exit a condition for dialogue.

Addressing the country's youth, Pradhan—who has faced severe backlash over recent exam paper leaks—said the move was not about personal prestige, but meant to safeguard students and stop anti-national elements from hijacking the protests following the July 20 violence near Parliament.

The move came hours before the third round of talks between the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the Centre.

Pradhan’s resignation was among the key demands of protesters who have been camping at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for more than a month over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Ahead of the resignation, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das accused Delhi Police of conducting "illegal and unconstitutional" detentions around Jantar Mantar, creating an atmosphere of "fear and siege.

"In a statement shared on X, Das alleged that authorities were actively stopping and intimidating volunteers attempting to deliver essential supplies, including food, water, and medicines, to the protest site.

Demanding immediate access for legal counsel, medical personnel, and journalists, the CJP warned it would march to Delhi Police Headquarters if the crackdown continues. The group has also called for a nationwide candle march on Sunday, July 26, at 6 PM.

Security around Jantar Mantar remains heavy, with nearly 3,000 personnel deployed and 18 Deputy Commissioners of Police overseeing key routes.

Police sources confirmed the use of Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras, which have already flagged more than 2,000 individuals with prior criminal records among the estimated 10,000 people gathered.

Law enforcement has also intensified legal action.

Delhi Police filed a new FIR at the Kartavya Path Police Station invoking charges of attempt to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside counts of rioting, unlawful assembly, and assault on public servants.

This brings the total number of FIRs registered in connection with the July 20 clashes to approximately 15.

Meanwhile, Safdarjung Hospital issued a clarification on Saturday regarding a viral video featuring climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

The hospital stated that the footage was recorded on July 21 by Wangchuk’s aides inside a designated "no-videography zone" prior to the receipt of the Delhi High Court's formal written transfer order.

According to hospital officials, Wangchuk had insisted on leaving based on media reports before the official directive arrived; he was subsequently transferred to a medical team from Medanta Gurugram at 6:40 PM that evening once official paperwork was received.

Opposition Reaffirms SupportVeteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar visited Jantar Mantar to address the crowd, praising the demonstrators for standing firm.

Referencing the prolonged detention of activists like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, Aiyar remarked that today's youth have overcome the climate of intimidation that affected older political figures: "Our generation was really scared... Today, we can see that you are fearless."

With inputs from Agencies