'Victory of democracy': Sonam Wangchuk congratulates Gen Z as Dharmendra Pradhan resigns after month-long NEET protests

Wangchuk, who observed a 26-day hunger strike in support of the protests, wrote on X: "IT'S A VICTORY OF DEMOCRACY — direct democracy... straight from the streets. It's a victory of peace, patience & perseverance.

'Congratulations CJP, Gen Z of the nation and thank you all citizens for shedding fear and the fear of fear and rising up from every corner of the nation. FROM ACCOUNTABILITY, NOW TO REFORMS."

Wangchuk's hunger strike

Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike since June 28 over the issue, ended his fast on Friday night in the presence of Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

According to Wangchuk, he called off the fast after receiving assurances from the minister that no action would be taken against the protesters, the matter would be taken up in Parliament, and the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET cancellation would receive compensation of ₹1 crore each.

The Ladakh-based climate activist was forcibly removed from the protest site at Delhi's Jantar Mantar by police last week and admitted to a government hospital. He was later shifted to a private clinic following a court order.

Pradhan resigns ahead of talks

Pradhan resigned just hours before the CJP was scheduled to enter a third round of talks with Central government representatives.

Earlier in the day, the unit had declared that further dialogue with the Centre would be futile unless Pradhan stepped down, calling his removal a non-negotiable precondition for any future negotiations.

Celebrations at Jantar Mantar

Following the resignation announcement, jubilant supporters gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, the epicentre of the demonstrations. Similar celebrations and protests were reported from several major cities, including Kolkata.

The nationwide agitation has seen thousands of students camp 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 pushed the government into negotiations with CJP representatives in an effort to break the deadlock.

Opposition piles pressure

Opposition leaders had sharply intensified pressure on the government in the days leading up to the resignation.

Earlier on Saturday, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's complete removal from the Union Cabinet, warning the government against reassigning him to another ministerial portfolio.

"Modi ji, your conspiracy to save your 'friend' by removing him from one ministry and seating him in another is not acceptable to the country's students and the people of India," Gandhi had said.

He further alleged that Pradhan was responsible for the collapse of the country's education system and demanded that he be removed from the Union Cabinet altogether.