Story perspectives

Youth Protest Demands Pradhan Resign; Police Use Tear Gas

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party protested at Jantar Mantar on July 24, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after police deployed tear gas and batons.
Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh told CJP spokespersons the government would answer the resignation demand by the afternoon of July 24.
After being detained for his July 21 sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Rahul Gandhi on July 22 demanded Modi apologise and Pradhan resign.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 anti-corruption movement began when Anna Hazare launched a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on 5 April 2011, forcing the government to form a joint drafting committee for a Jan Lokpal Bill. That mass mobilization, which saw about 1,200 supporters detained during a later protest, set a precedent for today’s Cockroach Janta Party sit-in and Rahul Gandhi’s call for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

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Story summary

The youth-led Cockroach Janta Party protested at Jantar Mantar on July 24, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation after police deployed tear gas and batons.
Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh told CJP spokespersons the government would answer the resignation demand by the afternoon of July 24.
After being detained for his July 21 sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence, Rahul Gandhi on July 22 demanded Modi apologise and Pradhan resign.

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