NEET Protest Ends After 36 Days; Jantar Mantar Returns to Normalcy as Key Figures Recover
The 36-day-long agitation over irregularities in the NEET exam and paper leak officially concluded on July 25, 2026, following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. By Sunday, July 26, calm had returned to Jantar Mantar, the protest site in central Delhi, as demonstrators dispersed and civic workers cleared the area.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), began on June 20, 2026. It gained momentum after police action on July 20 and attracted support from student organisations and activists, including environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who undertook a hunger strike. The agitation ended after the government agreed to all remaining demands, which included compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had been suffering from typhoid, was recovering at home. In a video message, he expressed relief: “It feels really good. Today, finally, I could go to sleep and wake up in the bedroom without thinking about what to do next or what will happen till evening. There is no panic.”
Dipke thanked supporters across the country for their trust despite initial scepticism. He also apologised to those who had gathered at Jantar Mantar on the final day, saying he could not meet them due to his illness. In a conciliatory tone, he thanked critics, stating, “If you hadn't criticised us, we wouldn't have been able to improve.” He described the campaign as “just the beginning” and said the CJP had “a long way to go.”
Sonam Wangchuk, who was admitted to Medanta Hospital after his health deteriorated during his indefinite fast, continues to recover. Authorities confirmed he was recuperating and under medical care.
As the protest wound down, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) began a massive clean-up operation. Over 100 sanitation workers, heavy vehicles, and mechanised equipment were deployed to clear nearly 60 metric tonnes of waste left behind. By Sunday afternoon, approximately 52 metric tonnes had been removed. Roads were washed using pressure-jetting machines, walls with protest slogans were repainted, and damaged footpaths and curbstones were repaired to restore normalcy.
The end of the protest marks a significant moment for student activism in India, highlighting calls for accountability in examination processes. Both Dipke and Wangchuk are expected to continue their advocacy work as they recover.
