Government resumes talks as CJP protests over education minister intensify

The Indian government was set to begin a fresh round of talks on Saturday with leaders of the Gen-Z-led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest that disrupted parts of the national capital this week, as demonstrators continued to demand the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The protests have emerged as the biggest youth challenge to prime minister Narendra Modi since he came to power in 2014. Their demands have also been echoed by opposition parties, which disrupted parliament’s monsoon session that began this week.

Thousands of CJP supporters gathered in central Delhi despite the fourth consecutive day of closure of the city’s 18 metro stations, with authorities attempting to restrict access to the protest site.

“They have given us a time between 3.30 p.m. and 4 p.m. today,” said Ashutosh Ranka, the party’s national spokesperson.

“We need clarity on Dharmendra Pradhan’s future,” he added, referring to the education minister, whom students want to see take responsibility for flaws in the examination system.

Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day fast after government assurance, CJP continues protest

“Will the government seek his resignation or not? We want a yes or no answer.”

Wow Mumbai! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZR6q3WesQr

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 24, 2026

Anger has intensified since police cracked down on Monday, injuring many students after launching baton charges and firing tear gas to stop tens of thousands of protesters marching towards parliament.

The protests, led largely by young people, reflect growing anger over job scarcity, corruption and government accountability. The movement gained momentum after leaks of question papers for high-stakes entrance examinations exposed shortcomings in the examination system.

The protests were galvanised by leaks of question papers for medical school entrance examinations that forced more than 2 million candidates to retake tests. Protesters are demanding sweeping examination reforms along with the resignation of the education minister.

During talks on Friday, CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka told federal ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh that the protests could spread unless Pradhan stepped down.

The talks took place hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes of a breakthrough.

The government also extended a mobile internet shutdown in the area for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Despite the continued restrictions, protesters said they would not back down.

“They can shut down internet, metros and buses, but what will that achieve? Nothing. People who want to join the protest will still come,” said Rahul Raj, a 34-year-old protester at the site.

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Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backed the protesters after meeting a group of students at his residence, including a young girl who had injured her leg.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Gandhi said students are the future of India while Narendra Modi represents the past.

“Students are India’s future, Modi is past; past can never fight future,” Gandhi said.

Students in Darbhanga join in the protests demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation pic.twitter.com/qpErkC8mYS

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 24, 2026

He said the students’ demand for the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan was “non-negotiable” and rejected suggestions that the minister could simply be shifted to another portfolio.

Claiming that he had heard that a section of the Union Cabinet was suggesting moving Pradhan to another ministry, Gandhi said such a move would not address the protesters’ demands.

“The demand of the students is to sack Dharmendra Pradhan, and that is non-negotiable,” he said.

Pune Cockroaches have swarmed the streets in protest! pic.twitter.com/KUbw34Ci1q

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 24, 2026

“There are three non-negotiable demands (of the students). Dharmendra Pradhan, who is corrupt, incompetent and misaligned, must be sacked,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also said he had assured the students that no amount of pressure from the Centre could force them to leave the protest site at Jantar Mantar.

“I told the students not to worry. No amount of strength can move them from there (Jantar Mantar). They can shut down (internet) and intimidate, but the students will not go away,” Gandhi said.

The remarks came as protests in Delhi continued, with the Cockroach Janta Party demanding reforms in the examination system and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, among other issues.

(With inputs from agencies)