CJP Jantar Mantar Protest: Updates — Wangchuk Ends Fast, PM Modi’s Video Message, Constitution Club Talks

Background: What is the protest about

The youth-led CJP has been camped at Jantar Mantar since June 6, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. The group is also pushing for a wider overhaul of India's examination system and compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died in connection with the episode.

Climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk lent his support to the movement and went on an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site. On the 21st day of his fast, Delhi Police forcibly removed him from the grounds and took him to hospital - a moment that significantly escalated national attention on the protest.

Sonam Wangchuk breaks his 26-day fast

Wangchuk ended his hunger strike late on Thursday night, July 23, at Medanta hospital, in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh, after having fasted for roughly 26 days over the NEET paper leak issue. He accepted an assurance from the government before breaking his fast.

A day earlier, Wangchuk had posted a video message from his hospital bed saying he wanted to end the fast, but made this conditional on students who had taken part in the protest march to Parliament not facing legal action. He had also expressed unhappiness that the protests turned violent at some points outside the main Jantar Mantar site.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke confirmed the group was "relieved and grateful" that Wangchuk had ended his strike, while making clear that the broader protest at Jantar Mantar would continue in his honour. Visuals from the protest site showed demonstrators dancing and celebrating outside Jantar Mantar following news of Wangchuk breaking his fast.

PM Modi's video message

Amid the escalating protest, Prime Minister Modi released a late-night video message announcing that stricter action against examination paper leaks would be taken up in the Cabinet meeting on Friday (July 24). He indicated the Centre is preparing comprehensive legislation with harsher punishments for those involved in paper-leak cases. The message was seen as an attempt by the government to defuse tensions ahead of the planned nationwide protest call for July 24 and the scheduled talks with CJP representatives.

Violence and disruption near Jantar Mantar

The protest saw a spell of violence in the days before Wangchuk's fast ended, with two Assistant Commissioners of Police among several injured in clashes near the site. As a precaution, Delhi Metro shut 16 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Mandi House. The CJP alleged that "outsiders" had been sent to disrupt the otherwise peaceful protest, an allegation it levelled at the BJP. Despite the tension, coverage of the movement also noted its distinctly Gen Z character - with memes, music and social media virality accompanying the on-ground demonstrations.

Actors Huma Qureshi, Saqib Saleem and Rachit Singh were among the personalities who visited Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the protesting students, joining a late-night gathering at the site.

Education Secretary removed; PM announces fast-track courts

In a second round of outreach to the protesting students, PM Modi announced the setting up of fast-track courts to prosecute those responsible for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. CJP leader Saurav Das dismissed this as a "band-aid solution" and reiterated the demand for Pradhan's resignation.

Hours later, the government removed Vineet Joshi as Secretary, Higher Education, handing the charge to Naresh Pal Gangwar. Joshi has since been appointed Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, succeeding Vivek Bhardwaj, who is due to retire on July 31. Separately, TK Anil Kumar - until now Additional Secretary in the Rural Development Ministry - has been appointed Secretary, School Education.

The reshuffle came as pressure on Pradhan intensified, with INDIA bloc MPs led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi paying homage at Gandhi Smriti in a show of solidarity with the protesting students. Home Minister Amit Shah also weighed in for the first time, saying the welfare and future of the country's youth remained the government's highest priority. Despite the bureaucratic reshuffle, government functionaries have maintained that Pradhan's resignation itself remains off the table, describing the demand as political and characterising the underlying lapses as already addressed.

The Constitution Club of India meeting

After days of back-and-forth over where talks should be held - with the CJP initially rejecting the government's offer to meet at JP Nadda's office or residence and instead proposing either Jantar Mantar itself or a neutral venue - both sides settled on the Constitution Club of India. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das confirmed the choice, welcoming the government's agreement to a neutral site.

A CJP delegation was scheduled to meet Union government representatives at 12:30 PM on Friday, July 24, at the Constitution Club. Union Minister Jitendra Singh said ahead of the meeting that the government was not standing on "prestige" and confirmed that both he and JP Nadda would be present for the discussions, describing it as a continuation of the government's efforts toward a resolution. The meeting comes on the same day as the CJP's call for nationwide peaceful protests demanding Pradhan's resignation, which the group has called "non-negotiable."

Where CJP Protest Stands Now

• Sonam Wangchuk: Fast broken; recovering after 26 days, with government assurances on students facing no legal action.
• Protest at Jantar Mantar: Continuing, in Wangchuk's honour, despite his fast ending.
• PM Modi: Promised tougher paper-leak legislation via video message; matter was expected to come up in Friday's Cabinet.
• Talks: CJP-government delegation meeting held at the Constitution Club of India at 12:30 PM, July 24, with JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh representing the Centre.
• Core demand: Resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains unmet and non-negotiable, per CJP.
• Bureaucratic reshuffle: Secretary, Higher Education Vineet Joshi moved out (now Secretary, Panchayati Raj); Naresh Pal Gangwar takes over Higher Education; TK Anil Kumar named Secretary, School Education. Pradhan himself remains in his post despite the changes.
• Security situation: Elevated after recent clashes; some Delhi Metro stations were shut as a precaution.

This remains a fast-moving story, and further developments - particularly the outcome of the Constitution Club talks and any Cabinet decision on paper-leak legislation - are expected through the day.

Note: Details are based on wire reports and news coverage as of the morning of July 24, 2026; some particulars (such as the exact outcome of the ministerial talks) may still be developing.