Thanking Sonam Wangchuk for ending his 26-day hunger strike, Cockroach Janata Party leader Abhijeet Dipke on Friday announced that the nationwide “peaceful protest” at Jantar Mantar will continue. Amid the ongoing unrest, the Centre replaced the Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi with Naresh Gangwar, an official government notification said late Thursday night.
CJP protests, Parliament Monsoon Session: Key developments on July 24
- PM Modi wished Sonam Wangchuk a speedy recovery after he ended his 26-day hunger strike, urging him to follow doctors’ advice and regain his health and weight as soon as possible.
- Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike in the presence of Union ministers and Ladakh leaders, following appeals that the movement would continue without risking his life.
- Under mounting pressure from protests, PM Modi released a late‑night video promising strict action and fast‑track courts for paper leaks, drawing opposition criticism for avoiding direct accountability of his ministers.
- Cockroach Janta Party has formally called for nationwide protests on July 24 as youth‑led demonstrations over exam irregularities spread to several cities.
- Rahul Gandhi took aim at PM Modi over his video message, questioning the govt’s response after the Prime Minister vowed stricter action against paper leaks during the Cabinet meeting.
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has warned the govt that youth will not back down, reiterating demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and sweeping examination reforms.
- The Centre has replaced Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi with Naresh Pal Gangwar as part of a bureaucratic reshuffle linked to public anger over exam paper leaks and the protests.
- Despite appeals to maintain calm, CJP‑led protests continue in multiple cities, with police using force in some cases and student groups vowing to carry the movement for examination justice forward.
CJP protests, Parliament Monsoon Session LIVE UPDATES
Mumbai to hold peaceful protest in support of Sonam Wangchuk and students today
A peaceful protest in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk and the student movement is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on Friday, July 24. The demonstration will take place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park from 4:00 pm, with supporters expected to gather to express their backing for the ongoing movement.
CJP delegation to meet Union ministers at 12.30 PM today
#watch | Delhi: Latest visuals this morning from Jantar Mantar where CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) continues its protest.
— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2026
The CJP delegation will meet with the Union ministers today at 12.30 PM.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike and is currently in a… pic.twitter.com/0OmgXX1rSS
CJP welcomes talks at neutral venue, Delhi's Constitution Club chosen
Saurav Das, Chief Spokesperson, Cockroach Janta Party, says, "A discussion has been called for, we are very happy that the government has agreed to our request that it be at a neutral venue. The Constitution Club of India has been chosen."
PM Modi wishes speedy recovery of Sonam Wangchuk after he ends 26-day hunger strike
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Sonam Wangchuk a speedy recovery after he ended his 26-day hunger strike, urging him to follow doctors' advice and regain his health and weight as soon as possible.
मैं सोनम जी से आग्रह करता हूँ की वो डॉक्टरों की सलाह के अनुसार अपनी दिनचर्या रखें और जल्द से जल्द अपना पुराना वज़न फिर से प्राप्त करें।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026
मैं प्रभु से प्रार्थना करता हूँ कि सोनम जी स्वस्थ रहें।@Wangchuk66 @GitanjaliAngmo
Congress' Mumtaz Patel slams govt, says 'dialogue could have prevented violence against students'
Congress leader Mumtaz Patel criticised the Centre over its handling of the student protests, arguing that the confrontation could have been avoided had the government engaged with the protesters when they first attempted to march towards Parliament. She alleged that the Delhi Police used force against students instead of opening a channel for dialogue.
Patel also claimed that senior opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi, were treated poorly by the Delhi Police when they reached the Prime Minister's residence. She questioned the government's offer for talks after the incidents, saying the Opposition has been demanding a discussion on the issue since Parliament convened on July 20, but has not been given the opportunity.
Delhi Metro closes 17 stations ahead of planned protests; interchange services continue
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Friday shut 17 key metro stations from 7:30 am as a precautionary measure ahead of the planned protests in the national capital. However, interchange facilities remained operational at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat stations to ensure passenger connectivity.
Visuals captured minutes before the restrictions came into effect showed commuters outside metro stations, including Jhandewalan, R.K. Ashram, Rajiv Chowk and Janpath, as authorities prepared for the closures.
Abhijeet Dipke says 'Sonam Wangchuk’s 26-day fast inspired nation; CJP protest to continue'
Relief and gratitude marked the end of Sonam Sir’s 26-day hunger strike, with Abhijeet Dipke thanking him for what he described as an extraordinary act of courage and sacrifice. He said the prolonged fast had stirred the conscience of the nation, adding that Sonam’s life is invaluable and that his decision to end the protest has brought a sense of reassurance to supporters.
Dipke also asserted that the Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar will continue despite the hunger strike ending. He said the protest will carry on until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns, reiterating the party’s commitment to pursuing its demands through non-violent means.
Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day fast, urges peace and vigilance
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday announced that he had ended his 26-day hunger strike in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr Jitendra Singh, along with senior leaders of the Apex Body of Leh Ladakh. Wangchuk said his decision came after prolonged negotiations over several conditions and in light of concerns about possible violence across the country.
He also revealed that 65 Members of Parliament from different political parties had either met him or written to him, urging him to end the fast. Wangchuk said he would soon release a separate video explaining the conditions that led to his decision. Meanwhile, he appealed to people to remain vigilant and ensure that no form of violence takes place anywhere.