Dharmendra Pradhan quits: CJP calls off nationwide NEET paper leak agitation

The decision was announced during a joint press conference addressed by CJP representatives and the two Union ministers, just hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister—a key demand of the protesters.

Announcing the decision, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said: "All our demands have been accepted. We request the protesters to peacefully withdraw the protest with immediate effect."

The meeting marked the third round of talks between the Centre and the CJP since the agitation began. What started as a sit-in at Jantar Mantar gradually evolved into a nationwide movement, with demonstrations spreading to several cities, including Kolkata and Mumbai.

Explaining the outcome of the negotiations, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said the government had agreed to withdraw legal cases filed against protesters.

"Our second demand was that all the FIRs filed against the protesters—not just in Delhi but across BJP-ruled and BJP-allied states—should be withdrawn. The government has accepted that demand as well," Das was quoted as saying by India Today.

He added:"The Cockroach Janta Party declares that we are withdrawing the agitation in good faith, with the understanding that the agreed-upon terms will be implemented within the stipulated timelines."

The CJP had placed three key demands before the Centre:

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan;

Withdrawal of all FIRs and legal cases registered against protesters and organisers; and

₹1 crore compensation for the families of those who allegedly lost their loved ones in connection with the NEET paper leak controversy.

Celebrations at Jantar Mantar

Following Pradhan's resignation, jubilant protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar, the epicentre of the month-long demonstrations. Similar celebrations and victory marches were reported from several cities, including Kolkata.

The nationwide agitation had seen thousands of students camping at Jantar Mantar for more than a month.

While the Centre initially refrained from directly engaging with the protesters, mounting public pressure and the spread of demonstrations across state capitals eventually prompted the government to open negotiations with CJP representatives in an effort to end the stalemate.

Opposition Intensified Pressure

Opposition parties had significantly stepped up pressure on the government in the days leading up to Pradhan's resignation.

Earlier on Saturday, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand that Dharmendra Pradhan be removed from the Union Cabinet altogether, urging the government not to reassign him to another ministerial portfolio.

The withdrawal of the agitation marks the end of one of the most sustained student-led protests in recent years, with the Centre and the CJP reaching an agreement after weeks of negotiations and escalating nationwide demonstrations.