New Delhi, Jul 25 (UNI) Celebration, caution and an insistence that the fight is not over defined the mood at Jantar Mantar here today after union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following over a month-long youth-led protest taking place at the venue over the alleged NEET paper leak.
As word of the resignation spread through the protest site, thousands of demonstrators erupted in cheers, waving the Tricolour, embracing one another and raising slogans of “Cockroach has won, democracy has won” and “Samvidhan zindabad”. Many held up copies of the Constitution, which had become a recurring symbol throughout the agitation.
Taking the stage amid loud applause, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke described the moment as proof that “the country is run by the Constitution” and assered that “this is just the beginning”.
The volunteers standing on stage held posters bearing photographs of the students whom the party alleges died by suicide in the aftermath of the NEET paper leak controversy. Dipke said, “Justice has been served”, as he read the names of all the 21 students who lost their lives following the alleged May NEET paper leak.
“Remember, do not mess with the Constitution. Do not mess with cockroaches,” Dipke told the gathering, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The party’s official social media handles echoed the sentiment, posting, “Cockroaches won. Democracies won. Jai Hind!”
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, CJP leaders repeatedly reminded supporters that the protest was far from over.
Speaking to the reporters, party spokesperson Saurav Das said the resignation marked only the fulfilment of one demand and that the sit-in would continue until the government issued written confirmation on all pending demands.
“Constitution has won. Youth has won. India has won,” Das said, while urging supporters not to disperse. “We will go home once all the three demands are confirmed. This is democracy. He has resigned, but we have two more demands. We won’t leave like this.”
The party’s updated demand list displayed at X showed only one box ticked — the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Pending demands included Rs ₹1 crore compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide, assurance that no action would be taken against student protesters, and a public apology from the Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police over the handling of the July 20 clashes.
Both Dipke and Das pressed the government to address the remaining issues. They demanded Rs ₹1 crore compensation for each bereaved family and action against police personnel, whom the party accused of using excessive force during the protests.
“Unless all our demands are accepted, we will not budge,” Das said, announcing that another round of talks with government representatives was scheduled at 3.30 pm at Constitution Club.
As the entire crowd celebrated the victory, Ashutosh Ranke, party spokesperson, called for peaceful candle marches across the country from 6 pm today evening, portraying the resignation not as the culmination of the movement but as its first major victory.
While music, slogans and celebrations continued across Jantar Mantar through the afternoon, speakers repeatedly reminded protesters that the agitation would continue until every remaining demand received formal government approval.
