Normalcy returns to Delhi after Pradhan’s resignation as CJP ends 36-day protest; Uddhav, Raj Thackeray hold victory march

Normalcy began returning to Delhi on Sunday, a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following weeks of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). With the movement declaring that all its demands had been met, it withdrew its call for further nationwide agitation, paving the way for public life to resume.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that all Metro stations across the network had reopened, with both entry and exit gates operational. Several stations in central Delhi had remained shut and internet restrictions were imposed during the peak of the protests.

Meanwhile, in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray led a victory march celebrating the student movement that culminated in Pradhan’s resignation.

Later on Saturday, Rashtrapati Bhavan announced that Union minister Pralhad Joshi had been given additional charge of the Education Ministry.

Celebrations at Jantar Mantar

News of Pradhan’s resignation reached the protest site gradually due to signal jammers deployed in parts of central Delhi. Once confirmed, jubilant scenes unfolded at Jantar Mantar, where protesters erupted in cheers.

After meeting Union ministers, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke described the development as a landmark victory.

“This is a big win. It shows that the country is run as per the Constitution. This is just the beginning,” he said, while also thanking Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for remarks that he said had inspired the movement.

He later posted on X: “Going to take a nap. See you all in a little while.”

Music, slogans and celebrations

Although the CJP officially ended its protest, hundreds of supporters continued to gather at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas to celebrate.

Patriotic and popular Hindi songs, including Chak De! India and Rang De Basanti, played through loudspeakers as demonstrators danced, hugged one another and raised slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”

The celebrations spread to Connaught Place, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg, where supporters gathered late into the evening.

End of a 36-day movement

Saturday marked the 36th day of the agitation, which saw multiple hunger strikes, including by activist Sonam Wangchuk and several students. Wangchuk was later removed by authorities, while clashes between protesters and police during a July 20 march left over 100 protesters and more than 100 police personnel injured.

Authorities had also suspended internet services and shut several Metro stations during the height of the unrest.

Pradhan’s resignation followed intense discussions within the government and multiple rounds of negotiations with protest leaders, bringing the month-long agitation to a close and allowing life in the national capital to gradually return to normal.