Day 4 of NEET Protest: Centre opens door to talks, but deadlock persists over Minister’s resignation
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, July 24, 2026: The fourth day of the intensified nationwide agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak brought the first signs of a possible breakthrough, with the Centre holding nearly two hours of talks with student representatives.
While the government reportedly agreed in principle to some key demands, the protest remained deadlocked over the demonstrators’ primary demand—the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has emerged as the face of the youth-led movement, said Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh sought time until Saturday afternoon to deliberate on the demand for Pradhan’s resignation. Protest leaders, however, maintained that the sit-in at Jantar Mantar would continue until a final decision is announced.
During Friday’s meeting, CJP representatives reiterated three principal demands: the resignation or dismissal of the Education Minister, ₹1 crore compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy, and withdrawal of all FIRs lodged against protesters along with a written assurance that no fresh cases would be registered.
According to party spokesperson Saurav Das, the Centre responded positively to the compensation and legal protection demands, accepting them “in principle,” while reserving its decision on the minister’s resignation.
Union Minister JP Nadda later confirmed that discussions had taken place and said the government would hold another round of talks after internal consultations.
He said the student representatives had also submitted five suggestions aimed at reforming the country’s examination system.
A significant development during the day came when noted education activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike after receiving written assurances from the Centre on examination reforms and issues concerning the ongoing agitation. While Wangchuk concluded his fast, student leaders clarified that the broader protest would continue until their core demands were addressed.
The Union Cabinet, meanwhile, approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aimed at strengthening legal action against examination fraud.
The proposed amendments are expected to be introduced in Parliament on Monday as the government attempts to respond to growing public outrage over repeated examination paper leaks.
The agitation also witnessed parallel legal developments. The Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions on July 27 alleging excessive police force during recent student demonstrations.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that reports of police excesses continued to emerge and sought urgent judicial intervention. The Delhi Police, however, has maintained that force was used only after sections of protesters allegedly turned violent during the July 20 march towards Parliament.
In another development, the Delhi High Court declined to entertain a public interest litigation seeking immediate criminal action against protesters accused of violence during the July 20 demonstration. Instead, the court permitted the petitioner to approach the competent authorities, directing them to consider the representation in accordance with law.
Amid heightened public attention, Delhi Police also issued multiple advisories warning against the circulation of misinformation related to the protests.
The force dismissed as false a viral video claiming that a Delhi Police Sub-Inspector had resigned to join the agitation and also debunked social media posts alleging that an injured woman police officer had lost an unborn child during the protests. Police warned that strict legal action would be taken against those spreading fake content and urged citizens to rely only on official information.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also issued an advisory asking students, faculty and staff to avoid gatherings at Jantar Mantar and exercise restraint on social media, citing Supreme Court guidelines on public demonstrations and concerns over public safety.
Despite the government’s willingness to negotiate, protest leaders reiterated that the movement would continue until their demand for the Education Minister’s resignation is met. With another round of talks scheduled for Saturday, attention is now focused on whether the Centre can bridge the remaining gap and defuse what has become one of the most significant youth-led protests in recent years.