New Delhi:

Amidst the fierce protests over the NEET paper leak case and the examination system, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his post. This major political development comes after a continuous 36-day sit-in protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar led by the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP). In the 12-year tenure since the formation of the Modi government in 2014, this is the first time a minister has been forced to resign directly due to public and student protests.

First Ministerial Resignation Due to Protest in 12 Years

In the political history since 2014, this is the first instance where a Union Minister had to step down under the pressure of a mass public movement and protests. Earlier, in 2018, the then Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar resigned during the global 'Me Too' movement, but that case was related to personal sexual harassment allegations from his journalism days.

Abhijeet Dipke's Strong Message After the Resignation

Taking a dig at the government at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief Abhijeet Dipke said:

"They used to say resignations don't happen in this government, but the world bows down, you just need someone who can make it bow."

Dipke further clarified that even though the minister has resigned, their movement is not over yet. Reiterating his remaining demands, he said, "Once a cockroach enters, it doesn't leave. The families of the children who committed suicide must receive compensation of Rs 1 crore each, and strict action must be taken against the policemen." The CJP declared this success as the 'Victory of the Cockroach' on social media.

Key Points from Dharmendra Pradhan's Letter

Following his resignation, Dharmendra Pradhan shared his resignation letter on social media. In this two-page, 575-word letter, Pradhan mentioned the youth being misled in two different places, alongside other matters.

Significance of Statements by Sonam Wangchuk and Mohan Bhagwat

• Sonam Wangchuk's Reaction: In a post from the hospital, Sonam Wangchuk wrote that this is a victory for democracy—direct democracy... a victory achieved from the streets. It is a victory of peace, patience, and perseverance. He congratulated the CJP and GenZ, thanking citizens from every corner of the country for standing up.

• Mohan Bhagwat's Statement: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat made a crucial statement at an event in Delhi on Saturday morning, saying, 'We will act arbitrarily, become the master of everyone by force—it cannot happen like this.' He had also remarked that today's new generation asks a lot of questions. Instead of giving orders, we should have a dialogue with them. We should explain the logic behind everything rather than commanding them. Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation coming right after Bhagwat's statement is being considered highly significant in political circles.

NEW DELHI — Climate and education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk announced his readiness to call off his multi-week hunger strike, provided the Union Government issues a firm assurance that no student or young protester will face legal prosecution, harassment, or retaliatory police action.

The 59-year-old innovator made his position clear in a direct letter addressed to Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh, following their visit to his bedside at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.

Announcement

• Core Demand: An explicit guarantee from the Centre protecting young demonstrators from police FIRs, legal proceedings, or administrative retaliation.

• Ministerial Visit: Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh visited Safdarjung Hospital to check on Wangchuk's deteriorating health and urge him to end his fast.

• Parliamentary Discussions: Over 65 Members of Parliament across political parties reached out to Wangchuk, pledging to raise issues of exam security and accountability in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

• Focus on Youth Protection: Wangchuk emphasized that while he desires to return to his educational work, he refuses to do so at the expense of students who took to the streets.

Background of the Hunger Strike

Sonam Wangchuk began his indefinite hunger strike in late June to highlight widespread concerns over national competitive examination leaks and structural issues in higher education testing. Participating alongside youth movements in Delhi's Jantar Mantar, Wangchuk called for systemic overhaul, transparent investigation procedures, and parliamentary accountability regarding examination integrity.

As his health steadily declined after three weeks of fasting, Delhi Police shifted him to Safdarjung Hospital, where doctors have been continuously monitoring his vital signs.

Wangchuk's Statement from Hospital

In his letter, Wangchuk acknowledged the political outreach and thanked cabinet ministers for initiating direct dialogue. However, he placed the safety of student participants at the center of any potential resolution:

"I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began. The march remained peaceful despite immense tension. I sincerely hope that this faith in democratic institutions is not further undermined by legal cases or vindictive action against participants."

He further urged the government to ensure adequate support for affected families and to allow a thorough, constructive debate on educational reforms on the floor of Parliament.

Response from Political Leaders and Next Steps

Following visits and written assurances from dozens of lawmakers, parliamentarians expressed optimism that the stalemate would resolve swiftly once formal commitments are logged. Civil society leaders and student representatives have maintained that a written undertaking regarding non-retaliation remains the final benchmark required before Wangchuk officially breaks his fast.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been staging a protest at Jantar Mantar for 20 days against the NEET paper leak. On Thursday, founder Abhijit Deepke pleaded with police personnel, clasping his hands and even touching their feet. He was seeking permission to set up a tent to shield the students on a hunger strike from the rain.

Deepke shared a video of the incident, writing, "Students on a hunger strike are getting drenched in the rain. I have asked police officials for permission to set up a tent at Jantar Mantar."

In another video, he accused the police of mistreating students who were attempting to bring in a tarpaulin sheet. Deepke wrote, "Male police personnel pushed female students."

**Wangchuk joins protest; demands Education Minister's resignation**

The CJP is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following allegations of irregularities in the exams and the paper leak. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has also joined the protest.
Wangchuk has been on a hunger strike since June 28. His health deteriorated on Wednesday; according to doctors, he has lost over 7 kg in 11 days, bringing his weight down to 59.4 kg.
Rishikesh, an AISA member and former JNU student leader, was admitted to RML Hospital after his health worsened; he complained of chest pain and numbness in his limbs. His 11-day hunger strike ended with his medical treatment, though four other students from the organization remain on the fast.
CJP formed after CJI's remark calling youth 'cockroaches'

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was launched following a remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who stated that some unemployed youths are like cockroaches that attack the system by becoming social media or RTI activists.
The very next day, on May 16, US-based Abhijit Deepke launched the CJP and created the party's social media accounts. On May 22, they demanded Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation; this online campaign garnered support from over 8 lakh people.
As of June 10, CJP had 2.27 crore followers on Instagram. This figure has now dropped by two lakh. Nevertheless, it remains higher than the BJP's 94 lakh and the Congress's 1.37 crore followers. CJP has 2.79 lakh followers on X.

In a major shift for Ladakh's political landscape, the central government has officially revoked the National Security Act (NSA) charges against climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk. After 170 days of preventive custody at the Jodhpur Central Jail, his release marks the end of a highly publicized legal standoff.

The Catalyst: How Did We Get Here? The path to Wangchuk's detention was paved by a year of escalating regional unrest:

• Core Demands: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—with Wangchuk as a central figure—have been campaigning for Ladakh's statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule for tribal protection, and dedicated parliamentary representation.

• The Flashpoint: The largely peaceful movement took a turn when a major agitation in Leh escalated into violence, prompting the government to intervene to restore public order
• The NSA Invoked: Viewing him as a potential catalyst for further unrest in a sensitive border region, authorities placed Wangchuk in preventive custody under the NSA, a law allowing detention for up to 12 months without formal charges, and moved him to Rajasthan.

The Friction: Public & Political Backlash Wangchuk’s 170-day incarceration became a lightning rod for national debate:

• The Critics: Civil society, human rights advocates, and political opposition argued that using a stringent law like the NSA against a globally recognized environmentalist known for his peaceful "climate fasts" was a disproportionate response.

• The Movement: Despite his physical absence, Wangchuk's supporters kept his message alive through nationwide vigils, marches, and digital campaigns, ensuring the Himalayan ecosystem and Ladakh's democratic rights remained in the spotlight.

The Turning Point: Why Now? The decision to lift the NSA and facilitate Wangchuk's release suggests a shift in the ground reality:

• Security Reviews: Following extensive assessments of Ladakh's security situation, authorities likely concluded his detention was no longer necessary to maintain peace.

• Cooling Tensions: With unrest in Leh subsiding, the focus appears to be shifting from law enforcement back to diplomacy, potentially aided by back-channel dialogues with community leaders.

The Road Ahead While his release is expected to trigger widespread relief and celebration in Ladakh, the foundational issues remain unresolved. The demands for the Sixth Schedule and statehood have not vanished. Moving forward, political analysts will be closely watching how Wangchuk and local leaders navigate the next round of negotiations with the Ministry of Home Affairs, balancing the region's democratic aspirations with the strategic realities of a sensitive border zone.

Violent protests erupted in Leh on Wednesday demanding full statehood for the Union Territory of Ladakh. Students clashed with police and security forces. They set fire to a BJP office, pelted stones at police, and set a CRPF vehicle on fire. Meanwhile, the administration has banned unauthorized rallies and demonstrations in Leh.

These students are protesting in support of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 15 days. The protesters had called for a shutdown today to protest the unfulfilled demands, which is when the violence erupted.

Following the violence, Wangchuk broke his fast, saying,

This is a sad day for Ladakh. We have been walking on the path of peace for five years. We fasted, walked from Leh to Delhi. Today, we are seeing the message of peace fail. There is violence, firing, and arson. I appeal to the young generation of Ladakh to stop this foolishness. We are breaking our fast and stopping the protests.

The next meeting regarding these demands will be held in Delhi on October 6th. Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were created as two Union Territories in 2019 when Articles 370 and 35A were revoked. The government had promised to restore full statehood once the situation in the state returned to normal.

Mobility Gathered Through Social Media: Protesters called for a Ladakh shutdown on Tuesday night, September 24th. Social media was used to mobilize crowds, urging people to reach the Leh Hill Council. This had an impact, and a large number of people arrived.

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Police-Protester Clash: Barricades were erected in front of the Leh Hill Council to stop the protesters. When the protesters advanced, the police fired tear gas, but the crowd burned and vandalized a police vehicle.