36‑Day NEET Protest at Jantar Mantar Ends, Calm Restored

Calm returned to Jantar Mantar on Sunday, the day after a 36‑day protest over alleged exam irregularities and a leaked NEET paper ended. The protest site, which had been a hive of slogans, speeches and demonstrations for over a month, now looked deserted as tents were dismantled and supporters dispersed. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the main organizer, had announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing the protest after the government accepted all its remaining demands.^[1]

Government Concessions and Protest Termination

The CJP’s exit from the protest followed the government's agreement to compensate families of students who allegedly jumped to their deaths after the NEET paper leak and to withdraw all FIRs filed against protestors. The organization also secured the cancellation of pending criminal cases that had been raised by the state in connection with the demonstrations. With these measures in place, the CJP declared the strike over, citing a successful outcome for its core demands.^[1]

Dipke Recovers from Typhoid, Thanks Supporters

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who had recovered from typhoid at home, posted a photograph of himself receiving intravenous fluids along with a video message. In the clip, Dipke expressed relief that the agitation had ended, noting that he could now sleep without anxiety about what might happen next. He thanked supporters across the country, acknowledging critics who had doubted the movement, and promised to continue advocating for systemic accountability.^[1]

Ongoing Rehabilitation of Key Activists

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who had joined the protest and held an indefinite hunger strike, remains in Medanta Hospital as his health continues to improve. His presence underscored the personal risks taken by several activist‑students during the 36‑day stand‑off. Wangchuk’s hospitalization had been a point of concern for student bodies and advocacy groups who urged authorities to protect demonstrators’ wellbeing.^[1]

Municipal Clean‑Up of the Site

With the protest over, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) launched a continuous clean‑up drive at and around Jantar Mantar. More than a hundred sanitation workers, heavy machinery and mechanised equipment worked to remove nearly 60 metric tonnes of waste left behind during the agitation. By Sunday afternoon, about 52 metric tonnes had been cleared, and roads were pressure‑washed while walls bearing protest slogans were repainted and damaged curbstones repaired, restoring the area to its former state.^[1]