Political forums, students celebrate victory of student protests in Delhi as Union Minister steps down

Published 25 July 2026 · local

Political parties, youth organisations and innumerable others joined the victory celebrations of the student-led agitation in New Delhi which culminated in the resignation of Union

Political parties, youth organisations and innumerable others joined the victory celebrations of the student-led agitation in New Delhi which culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, by hosting solidarity meets at different parts of the city, on Saturday (July 25, 2026). The Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) staged ‘Janadhipathya Sangamam’ while the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) took out a victory march in the city. Inaugurating the Congress meet at Rajendra Maidan, Kunnathunad MLA V.P. Sajeendran hailed the protesters for forcing the Union minister to step down, while adding that the issues concerning the NEET question paper leak were yet to be resolved.

“All the culprits behind the paper leaks must be brought before the law and punished in an exemplary manner. The Congress will launch more aggressive protests if the Centre fails to take strict action against the culprits, especially since several other examinations are pending,” Mr. Sajeendran said. DCC President and Kochi MLA Mohammed Shiyas, who chaired the meet, termed the Minister’s resignation ‘a victory of democracy’. Congress activists, led by MLAs T.J. Vinod and Anwar Sadath and Kochi Mayor V.K. Minimol and other leaders, took out a victory procession from Menaka Junction to the Gandhi Statue at Rajendra Maidan, ahead of the meet.

A group of youngsters, meanwhile, gathered at Kaloor celebrating the triumph of the Delhi protests. The participants, who came together through calls on social media, took out a march from Kaloor Metro Station to the JLN Stadium holding placards hailing democracy. The DYFI district committee took out a celebratory march from Ernakulam North to the High Court Junction. District secretary Nikhil Babu inaugurated a solidarity meet which was chaired by district committee member T.S. Shifas. Students’ Federation of India activists, led by district secretary Asish S. Anand, also held celebrations in the city. The district committee of the All India Professional Congress (AIPC) held a gathering at Queen’s Walkway.

Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Venu Rajamony, addressed the meet that called for strong legislation to bring a permanent solution to issues like question paper leaks. AIPC district president Eldho Chirackachalil and leaders including Nobi Thomas and Fazalu Rahman addressed the meet. The Aam Aadmi Party’s district committee took out a protest march and organised a solidarity meet at Aluva.