Even as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his 26-day hunger strike and the Union cabinet has approved a draft bill on paper leaks—moves that suggest the government is beginning to respond—the protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar remain unmoved. Between chanting slogans, collecting litter, making posters, serving food and water, and fanning fellow demonstrators, they remain firm on their central demand: the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“What Sonam Wangchuk ji did was start a movement, which has now grown bigger than his fast,” says Mahi, a student at Delhi University's Gargi College, as she collects litter at the protest site. “There are still people fasting and fighting for this cause. You can see the crowds around you. As citizens of India, we shouldn't settle for less. We should hold our government to a certain standard. We still want the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.”
As Wangchuk ended his fast on Friday, Union Minister J.P. Nadda read out the government's assurances, including that "the government is positive on not registering cases against those protesting peacefully at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and those who participated in the march to Parliament on July 20, 2026." The assurances also included discussions in Parliament on paper leaks and reforms to the examination system, as well as consideration of suitable compensation for the families of students who died by suicide following the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
“We will believe them when we see them,” said Bhavyasha, a student set to join the National Institute of Fashion Technology.
“They are giving us assurances, but if we settle now, they will know we are willing to accept less than what we demanded,” said Gargi. “Once the government realises that, there is no going back. We have to stand our ground.”
She said the police action against protesters had only hardened their resolve. “That was the turning point. There's so much anger over what happened. Now they are saying they will give us protection. But where was that protection when we needed it?”
Protesters say they have little reason to compromise on their demand. There is also a sense at Jantar Mantar that the agitation will continue until its central demand is met. What began as a protest demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak has also expanded to encompass broader concerns about India’s education system.
“We are talking about the increasing privatisation of education, how several paper leaks have taken place, and the larger failures in the system,” said Sudhanshu, a Delhi University student and a member of the Students' Federation of India (SFI). “We are also talking about decentralising examinations,” added Yashaswi, another SFI member.
“Yes, it started with the NEET paper leak,” said Bhavyasha. "But, this has also become a platform for students to come together on issues they had been ruminating for years."
