Addressing students through an Instagram-style phone recording, Modi said the government would take firm measures against those attempting to damage the future of young people. His statement came as demonstrations intensified across several major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Patna.
The same night, Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, which was aimed at pressuring the government to address the demands of protesting students. However, student activists have stated that their movement will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
The protests have been organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical online movement established in May that has developed into a national platform demanding structural reforms in the education system and accountability over repeated examination paper leaks.
The unrest followed a series of controversies involving examination paper leaks, technical failures, and cancellation of tests, leading to widespread anger among students. The primary protest location is Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, an historic eighteenth-century astronomical observatory situated near Parliament Street.
The protest site witnessed incidents of confrontation and unrest during the week. On Monday, tensions escalated when police used tear gas and baton charges against demonstrators attempting to march towards Parliament. Rights organisations Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticised the Indian government over what they described as excessive use of force by police and the suspension of mobile internet services at Jantar Mantar.
The CJP has demanded the immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, withdrawal of cases filed against peaceful demonstrators, and financial assistance of 10 million rupees for each family of more than 20 students who have died by suicide following recent examination cancellations.
Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike After Government Assurances
Sonam Wangchuk concluded his 26-day hunger strike while continuing to demand the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. In a post on X late Thursday night, Wangchuk, aged 59, said he ended his fast after “a long negotiation on various conditions and in view of possible violence in the country.”
The hunger strike was ended in the presence of Indian Health Minister JP Nadda and Junior Atomic Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, who offered Wangchuk his first sip to mark the conclusion of the protest.
According to the social media platforms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nadda stated that the government was positive about not registering cases against those peacefully protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those who participated in the march towards Parliament on July 20, 2026.
Nadda further said that the government had already assured detailed discussions in Parliament to find solutions regarding examination paper leaks and education reforms. He added that the government was positively considering suitable compensation for families of suicide victims linked to recent NEET paper leaks.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a nationwide examination for admission to medical colleges. More than two million students appear for the examination every year, while examination papers have reportedly leaked three times in the past five years, including the current year.
Government Holds Talks Amid Growing Pressure
Hours after Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, two senior government ministers and two leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party held discussions, raising hopes of progress in resolving the crisis.
The protests have involved tens of thousands of young people demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as a form of accountability over repeated examination paper leaks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X on Thursday, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth.”
He added that the government had decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure swift and strict punishment for those involved in paper leaks and warned that individuals attempting to harm the future of young people would not be spared.
Students Reject Government Measures, Continue Demand for Resignation
On Thursday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the closure of 16 Metro stations in New Delhi until further notice.
Reacting to the decision, CJP founding president Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X, “Modi is ready to shut down all of Delhi, but not sack Dharmendra Pradhan.”
Dipke continued posting on X on Friday, repeatedly highlighting the demand for Pradhan’s removal.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka rejected the government’s fast-track court proposal, calling it inadequate to address deeper systemic failures.
“The announcement of fast-track courts is not a real solution. It is merely a distraction,” Ranka said in a statement at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that examination paper leaks were occurring due to administrative failures and blamed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for what he described as a lack of effective action.
Government Seeks More Time for Response
Following Friday’s meeting, CJP leaders said the government had requested time until Saturday afternoon to respond to their demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
A senior Indian government minister stated on Thursday that the government remained open to discussions for as long as necessary and would not allow the issue to become a matter of prestige.
The ongoing protest movement has emerged as a major challenge for the government, with students continuing their campaign for accountability, examination reforms, and action against those responsible for repeated paper leaks. The developments have placed renewed focus on India’s examination system and the demand for stronger measures to protect the future of millions of students.
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