Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has written to Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, saying he is willing to end his indefinite hunger strike if the government gives an unequivocal assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against the student protesters who participated in the movement.
In his letter dated July 22, Wangchuk thanked the two ministers for visiting him in hospital and said they had assured him that the government would consider adequate compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following examination paper leaks and hold a meaningful discussion in Parliament on accountability, including the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
Wangchuk described the July 20 ‘Chalo Sansad’ march as peaceful despite the alleged use of excessive police force and urged the government not to harass or initiate legal proceedings against protesters.
“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,” he wrote.
He said he would end his fast if the government assured that no student protesters would face retaliatory action, adding that without such a guarantee, he would be compelled to continue his fast indefinitely. He also urged the government to refrain from using excessive police force against the movement.
Rahul Gandhi’s press meet
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over alleged examination paper leaks and police action against student protesters, demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accusing the government of failing the country’s youth.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Gandhi questioned the police action against students, asking, “What wrong have our students done to have security forces aiming weapons at them, beating them up?” He asserted that students were only demanding “an education system that works and is fair.”
Claiming that India’s education system had deteriorated, Gandhi said, “Our education system, which was known as the best in the world, is today a rigged system.”
He demanded that Dharmendra Pradhan be removed from office, saying the Union minister was “incapable of holding the post.”
Backing the ongoing student protests, Gandhi said the demonstrations reflected the frustration of young people. “Students are protesting because India’s youth have no future. There must be consequences for what has been done over the past few days,” he said.
The Congress leader also called for accountability over the alleged use of force against protesters. “Everyone who assaulted the students must be held accountable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have the decency to apologise to the students for what has been done,” he said.
Targeting the government’s handling of examination irregularities, Gandhi claimed there had been 152 paper leaks in the past decade, affecting 7.5 crore students, while alleging that there had been “zero convictions” during the period.
“We support every single student and their demands,” he said.
Gandhi also alleged that higher education had become unaffordable, claiming that while the Centre allocated Rs 1.4 lakh crore to the education sector, students collectively spent Rs 1.32 lakh crore on a single NEET examination.
“Families spend on one exam what the Government of India spends on the entire education budget. This is an insult to every single student and family in this country,” he said.
Calling the protesters “the future of India,” Gandhi said they should not be treated like criminals.
“Protesting students are not terrorists; they are our future. Action should be taken against all those responsible,” he said.
Accusing the government of diverting attention from the issue, Gandhi said the focus should remain on students and their demands rather than political distractions.
“The government is trying to distract, but the focus should remain on students and their demands,” he said.
He added that the Congress stood firmly with the students, saying, “We feel that if India’s students are on the streets, the Opposition should also be on the streets.”
“More than 300 students were attacked. Who is responsible for this? The Delhi Police is under Amit Shah, isn’t it? He should come to the House and make a statement. The country should know what happened,” he told reporters.
Delhi HC allows Sonam Wangchuk to shift to private hospital
According to an update from Bar and Bench, the Delhi High Court has now allowed activist Sonam Wangchuk to be shifted from the government-run Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital. This came after his wife petitioned the court alleging he was being held in “illegal detention”.
Congress MP writes to PM Modi, demands resignation of ministers and independent inquiry
Congress MP Vamsi Krishna Gaddam has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a demand for the immediate resignation of the concerned Union Ministers and an independent inquiry into the NEET-UG 2026 controversy and the reported Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust allegations.
Delhi police says around 120 officials injured in clashes
“Around 115 to 120 police personnel have sustained injuries. Several senior officers were hurt, and I also sustained an injury to my hand. The investigation is underway, and an FIR is being registered. Further legal action will follow based on the investigation,” Additional DCP Anand Kumar Mishra told ANI.
AIIMS doctors seek Presidential inquiry into protests, Wangchuk’s hospitalisation
The Resident Doctors’ Association of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, on Tuesday appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to order an independent, time-bound inquiry into the events at Jantar Mantar a day ago. They have also sought an investigation into the hospitalisation of activist Sonam Wangchuk and developments surrounding the same.
Delhi HC declines urgent hearing for PIL alleging excessive force by Delhi Police
A PIL alleging excessive force by the Delhi Police during the Cockroach Janta Party’s Parliament March was mentioned before the Delhi High Court for urgent listing. The Court refused to entertain the request immediately.
“Don’t drag the Court into all this. It will come up tomorrow,” it reportedly said.
Rahul Gandhi says ‘PM Modi should apologise to students’
“Modi ji has not even apologised for what happened yesterday. The youth are protesting against the education and testing system. The whole country knows that the education and testing system is hollowed out by termites,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told reporters.
“Why is the Prime Minister silent? He should apologise to the students and stop this nonsense of thrashing students,” he added.
Opposition MPs meet Lok Sabha Speaker, seek discussion on NEET, CBSE row and police action on protesters
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, seeking dedicated time in the House to discuss the alleged NEET and CBSE irregularities as well as the Delhi Police’s action against youth protesters during Monday’s “Chalo Parliament” march.
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the Opposition also demanded that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan make a statement in Parliament and be held accountable for the alleged failures surrounding the examination controversies.
‘Country is heading towards anarchy’: Kharge lashes out at Modi govt
“They are making all attempts to finish off democracy. This is strange. I had never seen anything like this in 60 years…The country is heading towards anarchy. PM Modi and Home Minister do not want to control this, they do not even want to speak in Parliament. We condemn such attitude,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Police action during CJP protest march yesterday, Congress president and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge says, "…We sought time to raise in Parliament the issue of injustice, oppression and pressure being unleashed. But as soon as I uttered a word, the mic… pic.twitter.com/wXJKOEGaH6
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026
AAP heads to police station, says protesting students may have been ‘detained illegally’
“We are going to Parliament Street Police Station because we have seen on social media that several students are missing and their parents fear that the police may have taken them away. There are also reports that false FIRs have been filed against several students…Today, we have also launched a helpline so that anyone who needs legal assistance or medical assistance can receive that help,” Arvind Kejriwal told the media.
Lok Saba adjourned for the second time
The Lok Sabha was adjourned yet again as Opposition leaders continued to protest and chant slogans. House proceedings are now set to resume at 2:00 pm
Opposition MPs march to Rashtrapati Bhavan
A decision was taken at the morning meeting of Opposition floor leaders that MPs belonging to all Opposition parties will take the protest against assault of students on Monday outside Parliament. Sources told Indian Express that it was decided during the meeting that MPs will march to Rashtrapati Bhawan from the Parliament building in the afternoon today.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and floor leaders of all Opposition parties were present at the meeting.
AAP says one person critical in the ICU after clash with Delhi Police
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said he had come to RML Hospital to visit the students and police officials injured on Monday.
“We have been informed that, except for one girl, everyone else has been discharged. All the injured students and all the injured police personnel have been discharged. One girl is in the ICU and is in critical condition…They may be in other hospitals as well. We do not have that data,” he said.
Lok Sabha proceedings resume
Lok Sabha proceedings resumed at noon after being adjourned amid chaotic scenes. Opposition leaders have led chants and slogans against the NEET row, police clash with CJP protesters and more.
Kejriwal visits RML hospital, meets injured protestors
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal visited Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Tuesday morning to meet those injured during the CJP-led protest on Monday. Party MPs in the Rajya Sabha also staged a protest on the Parliament steps over Police action during the march.
“I couldn’t participate in Monday’s (CJP) march, but both my children joined protesters for 4-5 hours,” Kejriwal said.
Farmers gear up for protest against India-US deal
“The US-India trade deal, which we discussed in the previous session, will definitely devastate the country’s farming sector. I believe farmers have never suffered such a massive blow before. This agitation has started from Punjab, but farmers all over the nation will take to the streets to protest against the deal,” AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang told ANI.
‘Govt stands with students’: PM Modi at Parliamentary meeting
Addressing the reporters after the NDA Parliamentary Party ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting, Kiren Rijiju said the Prime Minister made it clear that the government “stands with the students” and that paper leaks are a matter of national concern that should not be politicised.
“On the NEET exam, the PM said we stand with the students. Those involved in paper leaks must face strict action, in consultation with top lawyers. Paper leaks are a matter of national concern and must not be politicised. Strict action should be taken not only by the Centre but also by states wherever paper leaks occur,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.
PTI quoted Union Minister Kiren Rijiju as saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured NDA MPs that strict steps were taken to prevent future NEET paper leaks, with those found involved arrested and jailed. Modi also said that the NEET re-test was given priority, and results declared without delay to ensure students’ future not hit.
“PM told NDA MPs that strong action was taken to ensure that no one plays with the future of youth …he said that the Centre and states must join hands to ensure no future paper leaks take place,” Rijiju added.
‘Beaten by cops without nametags, called terrorists’: CJP supporters tell Dipke
The Cockroach Janta Party protesters camped at Jantar Mantar through the night despite heavy rain, tight security and a police crackdown on them during the “Sansad Chalo” march a day ago.
PTI reported that a group of young supporters were seen narrating their experiences to Dipke as the latter folded his hands to apologise to them. The supporters alleged that police personnel without name tags had beaten up the protesters, including women, and called them “terrorists”.
Volunteers cleaned the protest site on Tuesday morning while CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke apologised to supporters injured in the police action. PTI reported that heavy security remained in place around the protest venue as volunteers were seen cleaning the stage, the only structure left standing after police removed the tents and other temporary installations on Monday.
Rajya Sabha proceedings have also been adjourned till 12 noon after Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders raised the issue of lathi charge and tear-gassing of students protesting the NEET paper leak.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha briefly resumed proceedings at 11:00 am following a day of nearly constant adjournments.
But the Lok Sabha was adjourned less than two minutes later amid vocal protests from the Opposition ranks. It will now resume at 12 noon.
CJP alleges brutality against student protesters; vows protest will continue
Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has accused the Delhi Police of “brutality and cruelty” during the Monday protest march. He alleged that police personnel assaulted student protesters and questioned the action taken against them.
“Yesterday we saw with what brutality and cruelty the Delhi Police beat the children. They cracked the heads of 12-year-old girls. And it was male police officers who did this. Gunde bhare the Delhi Police ki vardi mein kal (Thugs were filled in Delhi Police uniforms yesterday),” Dipke told the media.
NDA discusses NEET issue during parliamentary meeting
Following the conclusion of the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting led by PM Narendra Modi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the NEET issue was also discussed.
Rijiju said that the PM underlined that strict steps have been taken to prevent such leaks in future and advocated exemplary action against those involved in such leaks
Photos shared by news agency ANI showed INDIA bloc leaders gathering for a meeting at Parliament House in New Delhi. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are slated to resume at 11:00 am after a day of constant adjournments.
The INDIA bloc had gathered for a crucial strategy meeting to coordinate their joint approach and finalise floor tactics ahead of the ongoing Monsoon Session proceedings. Key leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and members of allied parties such as the SP, Left, and Sena, held a formal meeting with the Lok Sabha Speaker inside Parliament House.
Details of FIRs registered by Delhi Police
According to an ANI update, one FIR was registered concerning a conspiracy hatched for violence. The police said several crucial pieces of evidence have come to light during its investigation. Two FIRs have been registered in cases involving obstructing government work, assaulting police personnel, and damaging property. A separate FIR was also registered regarding flying a drone without permission in the New Delhi district area during the Parliament session.
An FIR in Parliament Street police station was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The FIR alleges that the accused unlawfully gathered and disrupted public order, obstructed government work, engaged in violent activities, and damaged public property.
Congress MP seeks Lok Sabha discussion over ‘recurring question paper leaks’
Congress MP Hibi Eden has given an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha over “recurring question paper leaks and examination irregularities” in national entrance examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Delhi Police registers 5 FIRs over violence during CJP protest march
The Delhi Police said it had registered five FIRs so far at Connaught Place Police Station, Parliament Street Police Station and other Police Stations.
“More FIRs are likely to be registered. Accused are being identified with the help of CCTV footage,” the Delhi Police added.
Safdarjung Hospital shares health update for Sonam Wangchuk – ‘He continues to refuse IV, glucose’
Safdarjung Hospital authorities said on Tuesday that activist Sonam Wangchuk’s vital parameters remained stable, but he continued to refuse intravenous fluids and glucose despite repeated medical advice. In a health bulletin issued at 9 am, the hospital said all necessary medical care is being provided, and his clinical condition remains under close and continuous assessment.
“At present, his vital parameters remain stable. However, blood sugar levels continue to remain on the lower side. His serum potassium level as analysed from a sample collected last night stands at 3.2 mEq/L, and he continues to have persistent pancytopenia, characterised by anaemia and low leukocyte counts. These clinical and laboratory parameters warrant continued close monitoring through serial investigations,” the statement said.
Security ramped up outside Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s house
According to visuals shared by ANI, security has been beefed up outside the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The NDA Parliamentary Party Meeting — dubbed ‘Mangal Milan’ — is now underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other key leaders of the National Democratic Alliance are in attendance.
#WATCH | Delhi: NDA Parliamentary Party Meeting, 'Mangal Milan' begins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the NDA are attending the meeting. pic.twitter.com/d0Ay3A5sdc
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2026
