From tear gas to talks: Iconic photos that defined the CJP's 49-day protest

A sequence of photographs traced the CJP's agitation over alleged NEET irregularities from street clashes to talks with the government. The images showed the protest's spread across cities and its culmination in Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.The latest retreat followed weeks of protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and suicides linked to the NEET paper leak.A tear gas canister thrown back at police. Water cannons turning protesters into silhouettes. A hunger strike ending with a hospital shift. A woman standing defiantly in front of a police van. And, finally, celebrations at Jantar Mantar after the Education Minister's resignation.For almost 50 days, the Cockroach Janta Party's agitation over alleged NEET irregularities produced a series of images that captured a protest moving from confrontation on the streets to negotiations with the government - and eventually, a political victory for its principal demand.Here is the CJP agitation in pictures, from the first clashes and hunger strikes to the moment its protesters celebrated after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.THE PROTEST THAT REACHED PARLIAMENTA protester throws back a tear gas canister towards police as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party march towards Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks, in New Delhi on July 20. The image captured one of the most intense moments of the agitation as protesters confronted security personnel during the march. THIS MOVEMENT IS NOT JUST IN DELHIA 27-year-old model, Rhiya Ahir, stands with her arms outstretched in front of a police van during a demonstration in Mumbai in solidarity with the CJP's agitation over alleged NEET irregularities on July 22. The protest reflected how the movement found support beyond the national capital.WATER CANNONS USED AGAINST PROTESTERSPolice use a water cannon to disperse Students' Federation of India activists during a protest march demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination in Thiruvananthapuram on July 23.SHE STOOD BETWEEN THE BATON AND THE PROTESTERSAs a police officer moves through a tightly packed crowd during the protest, a young woman reaches out to protect fellow demonstrators caught in the confrontation. With protesters pushing against the barricades and police trying to control the crowd, she appears to place herself between the officer and those around her - a striking moment from an agitation marked by escalating tensions on the streets.SOLIDARITY AT JANTAR MANTARClimate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his wife Gitanjali J Angmo attend a protest organised by the CJP at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 17. Wangchuk, who was on an indefinite hunger strike, also reiterated his demand for constitutional safeguards and greater protection for Ladakh.A MOMENT OF TENSIONCJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reacts after a woman threw an ink-like liquid on him as he began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 18.'HAM AAPKE BACHCHE NAHI HAIN'A moment from the CJP agitation captures the anger and defiance that became a recurring feature of the protest, as demonstrators challenged the government's handling of alleged examination irregularities and demanded accountability.THE MOMENT THE PROTEST TURNEDProtesters clash with security personnel at barricades during a march towards Parliament demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and expressing support for climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, near Parliament House in New Delhi on July 20.HUNGER STRIKE ENDS WITH A HOSPITAL SHIFTActivist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, waves as he is shifted to a hospital from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 18. He later broke his fast on the 26th day at Gurgaon hospital.CELEBRATIONS AFTER PRADHAN'S RESIGNATIONCJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka celebrate with supporters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 25, after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned and took responsibility for the NEET paper leak.49 DAYS LATER, THE PROTESTERS HAD THEIR ANSWERCJP supporters celebrate at Jantar Mantar after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET paper leak controversy, bringing the protest's principal demand to an end. After 49 days of agitation, slogans of anger gave way to cheers, raised fists and celebrations as protesters marked what they saw as a victory for their movement.- EndsAll photos taken from PTIPublished By: Sonali VermaPublished On: Jul 26, 2026 06:00 IST