As Sonam Wangchuk's indefinite hunger strike entered the 17th day, concerns over the famed environmentalist and educationist's rapidly deteriorating health intensified, prompting appeals from political leaders, celebrities and social media urging him to end his fast.
Abhijeet Dipke, convener of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has urged the BJP to align with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's stance on Gen Z protests, particularly regarding NEET examination irregularities, and to refrain from labelling protesting youth as 'anti-national'.
The Delhi High Court declined to urgently hear a petition regarding alleged excessive force used by city police against students protesting with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during their "Chalo Sansad" march. The CJP accused police of injuring protesters and assaulting activist Sonam Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, a claim denied by Delhi Police.
Amidst escalating tensions at Jantar Mantar, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was hospitalised by Delhi Police on the 21st day of his hunger strike, sparking widespread protests from supporters.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has terminated 47 officials and plans legal action following the NEET paper leak controversy. This comes amidst widespread protests and demands for the Education Minister's resignation, as the NTA initiates a major overhaul and recruitment drive to strengthen its operations.
Parliament proceedings were stalled for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as loud protests by an unrelenting opposition over the NEET paper leak and demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation reverberated in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, leading to adjournment of the two Houses for the day without transacting any business.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk's health has deteriorated significantly on the 15th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is protesting alleged examination irregularities. Wangchuk's blood pressure has dropped and he has lost 7.8 kg, while the protest is drawing support from political leaders and public intellectuals.
As Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike enters its 19th day, critics question why the government has remained silent despite mounting concerns over student welfare, observes Harishchandra.
Amidst widespread student protests and allegations of paper leaks, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's dharna outside the Prime Minister's residence has prompted the government to declare its willingness for a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the contentious NEET examination.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has emerged as a prominent youth leader, transforming a satirical movement into a powerful force that led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dipke views this as just the beginning, advocating for issue-based politics over identity politics and demanding further reforms in the examination system.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has argued that video-recording of the ongoing CJP-led protest against the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar is in 'legitimate state interest' for security reasons, while petitioners allege 'continuous, indiscriminate and intrusive surveillance'.
The Supreme Court has directed its High-Powered Enquiry Committee to prioritise and immediately submit an interim report on complaints of sexual assault faced by women protesters during the July 20 NEET agitation at Jantar Mantar.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during recent student protests in Delhi, following social media footage and reports of injuries.
The Congress party has criticised the Modi government's announcement of a new committee on exam reforms, alleging it is a tactic to divert public attention. The opposition highlighted that recommendations from a previous committee formed in 2024 remain largely unimplemented, while Prime Minister Modi has now constituted another high-powered task force led by Nandan Nilekani to reform NTA examinations.
The Assam government has decided to withdraw all police cases registered against individuals involved in protests concerning the NEET question paper leak and to release those arrested or detained during these demonstrations, citing the need for systemic reforms in the education ecosystem.
India's Monsoon Session of Parliament concluded with significantly low productivity, marked by frequent disruptions and protests from the Opposition, primarily the Congress, leading to minimal debate on key legislation.
It was left to an incensed Gen Z to show the rest of India that enough was enough, and that the time had come to shatter the fear psychosis generated by the government's authoritarian approach to protests and criticism, points out M R Narayan Swamy.
A viral video shows a plainclothes policeman allegedly manhandling a woman protester during a NEET paper leak demonstration in Mumbai.
Glimpses from the police action against the Cockroach Janta party' march to Parliament on Monday.
The Lok Sabha stalemate is expected to conclude as Speaker Om Birla has secured an agreement from all political parties to discuss the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026. This bill proposes stricter punishments, including up to 10 years in jail and a Rs 50 lakh fine, for paper leak offences, following recent nationwide student protests over the NEET fiasco.
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, expresses concerns about potential arrest upon his return to India, but remains committed to protesting against the Union Education Minister over alleged shortcomings in the education system.
The Bombay Bar Association and senior lawyer Satish Maneshinde have strongly criticised the use of police force against students protesting the NEET leak issue in Mumbai. Maneshinde has offered pro bono legal assistance to any student facing legal action, while the BBA emphasised the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and dissent.
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Omi Vaidya, known as Chatur from '3 Idiots', has publicly supported climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike in New Delhi, drawing attention to Wangchuk's deteriorating health and the inspiration he provided for Aamir Khan's character in the film.
'After more than 12 years in power, he has been forced to retreat under public pressure. The education minister's resignation is the biggest political climbdown of his government so far.'
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, was allegedly slapped during a protest in Jaipur concerning the NEET paper leak and unemployment. Two youths have been detained following the incident, which saw protesters demanding action on youth issues and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Punjab Police have revealed that an ISI-backed terror module, recently busted, had planned an attack on Delhi's Jantar Mantar during recent student protests. Members of the module, including juveniles, travelled to the site with materials for petrol bombs, but their plan was foiled. Nine accused have been apprehended, and arms and ammunition recovered.
Before sitting on the fast, Wangchuk, along with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, visited Rajghat and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has accused the Opposition of setting pre-conditions for a debate on the critical NEET paper leak issue, stating that the government is ready for a comprehensive discussion.
As activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike at Jantar Mantar entered the sixth day on Friday, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said he appeared "far weaker and more exhausted" and urged supporters across the country to observe a one-day fast in solidarity with the protest.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has extended his indefinite hunger strike, stating he will continue until youth leaders meet parliamentarians or he is allowed to do so from the hospital. This decision follows police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's "Sansad Chalo" march, where thousands were detained while demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The controversy has embarrassed the ruling coalition because Keshab Mahanta is one of the senior-most leaders of the Asom Gana Parishad, an NDA constituent.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS president Raj Thackeray have announced a joint 'morcha' (protest march) in Mumbai on July 26 to express solidarity with students protesting the NEET paper leak and alleged police atrocities.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and activist Sonam Wangchuk's protest at Jantar Mantar has entered its eleventh day, with Wangchuk's health deteriorating due to a hunger strike. Protesters allege heavy police deployment and restrictions, demanding accountability for examination irregularities and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
'Paper leak is a very serious issue, and I am glad to know and see that the kids of our country have come together for a better educational system, and their parents supported them.'
An Indian Parliamentary panel has summoned major social media platforms like Meta, Google, X, and Snapchat, along with MeitY and Home Affairs officials, to discuss the regulation of digital platforms. The meeting, scheduled for August 3, will focus on user privacy, public order, and the platforms' role in recent protests.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability for alleged examination irregularities, has entered its 15th day, garnering support from AAP MP Sanjay Singh and CPI(M) MP John Brittas. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk continues his hunger strike, while a student leader from AISA was hospitalised after her condition turned critical.
Social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying violence and police action during the students' ongoing protest in Delhi were "deeply distressing", and asserted that "dialogue" was always preferable to confrontation in a democracy.
The Congress escalated its campaign against alleged examination irregularities by marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, transforming the issue into a direct challenge to his political authority and demanding the resignations of top government officials.
A new satirical Instagram page, 'Dimagi Naxal Party,' has emerged following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' remark.
