India: Government, CJP hold talks after Wangchuk ends fast

Here's a roundup for the biggest headlines from India on Friday, July 24:

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What else is making headlines in India?

Flooding in India's northeastern state of Assam killed at over 40 people and displaced over 700,000 after days of heavy rainfall which overflowed the Brahmaputra river among others, officials reported.

French news agency AFP reported at least 50 people had been killed. Indian news agency PTI reported at least 47 had died.

The flood situation in Assam remained critical on Friday, with around 40 people still missing, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, warning that the toll might increase. He said that authorities were providing food and relief supplies to flood victims, including via airdrops from helicopters.

Overflowing water from rivers flooded Assam's villages, swept away homes and forced about 300,000 people into government-run relief camps, officials said. Some 900 villages were submerged in flood water and over 7,000 homes were without electricity.

The United States has imposed a 10% tariffon goods imported from India and 16 other countries, over a month after a US Trade Representatives released a report on its investigations into countries importing goods allegedly made with forced labor.

"The United States has had a forced labor import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it's well past time for our trading partners to do the same," said US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

"Today's action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere," he added.

The new duties will take effect Friday just as ‌a temporary 10% global tariff ⁠expires.

This comes as New Delhi and Washington have been negotiating the first tranche of a trade deal.

Protests 'rude awakening' for PM Modi, but not like Nepal, Bangladesh: Expert tells DW

To Michael Kugelman, author and South Asia expert, it had been clear for some time that there was a significant level of discontent among India's youth — something Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemingly missed.

"A lot of that has to do with perceptions about job markets. Youth unemployment has been a reality for India for quite some time. These current protests tap into that," he told DW's Shalu Yadav. "I would have hoped that the Prime Minister had noticed over the years," he said.

"This is something that at the very least will serve as a rude awakening to the Prime Minister for really putting him in a position where he has to recognize that there is a problem," Kugelman said.

That said, it is "highly unlikely" that the protests will lead to Modi's resignation or the government toppling down, as seen in India's neighbors over the last several years.

Nepal saw Gen Z-led protests in 2025 which ended with a new government in power this year. In 2024, Bangladesh's youth uprising ousted longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In 2022, youth-led protests in Sri Lanka over corruption and severe economic collapse forced former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and top officials to step down.

Kugelman said India's current protests were different, first because of the scale, second because the grievances are still largely limited to the education system, and lastly because of Modi's long-built popularity.

"While it's very clear that these protests have shown how many people are angry at Modi and the government, I would argue that Modi and this government more broadly continue to enjoy a fair amount of popularity, particularly relative to the governments that were ousted in mass movements elsewhere in the region in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and Nepal over the last few years," he said.

Even still, there are some parallels to be drawn. "The fact that the police responded in the way that they did has really galvanized so many young people. And it was the same way in Bangladesh," he said.

Government seeks time on demand for education minister's resignation — CJP

The Indian government has sought time until Saturday afternoon to consider the protesters' demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons said.

Cockroach Janta Party spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met Union Ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jitendra Singh a few miles away from the protest site on Friday afternoon. This was the first substantiative dialogue between both sides after a preliminary round was held on Monday.

Das told reporters that a second round of talks would take place on Saturday.

Ranka said that the government had signalled it had in principle accepted the CJP's other two demands — to provide families of students who committed suicide over the NEET-UG exam paper leaks and the withdrawal of legal action against peaceful protesters.

The CJP and protesting students said they remain firm on their demand for Pradhan's resignation.

The talks ‌came hours after ‌activist ​Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike, raising hopes ​that the two sides could reach a ⁠breakthrough ​after tens ​of thousands of ​angry youth converged ‌in the capital Delhi to ​demand ⁠the minister's resignation over exam paper ⁠leaks.

'Is this the price of protest in a democracy?': reports of police brutality

DW met injured protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where students continue their sit-in days after clashes with police during demonstrations over the alleged leak of India’s national medical entrance examination.

Dozens of students and protesters gathered around us to show their injuries — fractured legs, bandaged heads and bruises they say were sustained during the police crackdown.

Again and again, they asked the same question: "Is this the price of protest in a democracy?"

Among them was Lovekush Trujapati, one of thousands who defied a police ban to march towards parliament. He now has a fractured leg and damaged ligaments and can no longer walk without support.

“Whenever I move my leg, I feel immense pain. Sometimes I can't tolerate it, but I am fighting through the pain as a volunteer for this movement,” he told us.

Lovekush alleges police beat him and other protesters with batons near Parliament Street. Delhi Police have denied allegations of using excessive force.

Despite his injuries, he says he has no intention of leaving the protest.

He is not alone — many of those hurt in the clashes have returned to the demonstration, saying they remain committed to the movement. Throughout the day, supporters travelled from different parts of the country to meet the injured protesters, thanking them for what they described as their courage and determination.

Students who spoke to DW said the violence had shaken their trust in the authorities and strengthened their calls for accountability over the alleged examination paper leak.

Delhi universities warn students to refrain for protests

The Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of the top universities in the country, advised its students to "refrain from participating in or visiting gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar," in a post on X on Friday.

The university said this was in accordance with the Supreme Court of India's directions on public demonstrations.

"Please exercise responsibility on social media. Violations may invite legal consequences under applicable laws as well as disciplinary action under the University’s code of conduct," it said.

This came less than a day after the University of Delhi posted a similar advisory on social media.

"Please note that any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, which are strictly regulated as per the directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, may invite legal action. Such activities can also pose serious risks to students’ personal safety and significantly impact their academic progress and professional opportunities," it said on X.

Jantar Mantar is a historical ground in central Delhi where "cockroaches" — student protesters and their supporters — have been gathered for over a month now.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi slammed Delhi University's warning, saying: "How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes."

'Nothing short of the minister's resignation is acceptable': CJP Founder Dipke says

Even as the Cockroach party leaders and the Indian government were scheduled for talks on Friday, the nationwide protests would not stop, said CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke. He made the comments to news agency PTI on Friday afternoon.

"Nothing short of the minister's resignation is acceptable. The protest will not be called off because this movement is no longer about Abhijeet Dipke or Sonam Wangchuk alone," he said.

"It has now become a movement of the country's youth, which is why protests are being held across the nation. Nothing less than the minister's resignation will be accepted," he said.

What's happening at the protest site now?

Bollywood weighs in on India's youth movement

Politics and Bollywood have generally had a one-way relationship. Several popular stars have turned into members of parliament or revealed their political leanings after peaking their on-screen careers. But not many have expressed their opinions on national politics unless it is in polite gratitude of the ruling government.

With millions of protesters taking to Indian streets, many have now spoken up — some in support of the students' right to protest, and some urging them to trust the government.

Here's what some of the biggest voices of Bollywood had to say:

"The Honorable Prime Minister has tweeted, and I am sure that he will take strict action against all those people who are responsible for this leak. So students, plz go back to your parents n homes," he said in a post on X, referring to Modi's assurance that those involved in paper leaks would be swiftly punished.

"I've sat with this for a few days but I can't sit with it any longer… education only works if children believe in it. And they stop believing the Moment they suspect that honesty, hard work and merit don't actually count," the actress said on Instagram. "When an entire generation speaks with one voice about its own future, listening isn't a courtesy we extend. It's an obligation we owe them," she said.

"From the millions of students whose honest efforts were invalidated with barely a shrug; to the millions more who stood up and continue to stand against injustice...I see you," Khan said on Insgram. He was also seen at the protest march in Mumbai on Wednesday. "You raise your Voices for the best in us, and it's my Honor to stand beside you," he said.

Praising the students for their courage and determination, Bhatt wrote, “Their courage humbles me. Their resolve is a mirror held up to all of us, asking whether we are truly listening to the very people who will inherit and shape this country's tomorrow. For the students. By the students. The future is theirs Jai Hind.”

Some actors, such as Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Huma Qureshi have attended protests in their cities as well.

WATCH: Cockroach movement protesters want Modi's resignation

Student protests over alleged exam paper leaks in India have intensified after a police crackdown in New Delhi.

Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while some are even calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down.

What began as a campaign against exam fraud has expanded into a broader movement highlighting concerns over corruption, unemployment and accountability.

India: Cockroach movement protesters want Modi's resignation

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Delhi authorities tighten security ahead of talks

Even as the Indian government and protest organizers are scheduled to meet for dialogue, authorities are tightening security in central Delhi which is home to both the Indian parliament, and the youth protest site.

The New Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that 17 metro station around the are would be closed on Friday morning until further notice. Not just students and protesters, but also office goers rely on the speedy Delhi metro for their daily commute.

The thousands who have reached the protest site are being heavily monitored.

News outlet Indian Express reported that Delhi police were using two highly-equipped surveillance vans to keep a 360-degree eye on the protest site and protesters. As per the report, a senior Delhi police officer said they were using live facial recognition to identify any known criminals.

Fearing unwarranted action, several protesters have been covering their faces with regular and sometimes superhero masks.

Parliament disrupted over education minister's resignation

The protests are not limited to the streets: inside the Indian parliament, opposition parties continue to protest against the NEET paper leak issue for the fifth day.

Both the upper and lower houses of parliament have been adjourned till noon over the disruption.

Yesterday, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) leaders said they were willing to discuss the issue in parliament. However, opposition leaders demand that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan be sacked before any discussion takes place.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his weeks-long hunger strike on the assurance that the government would discuss the paper leaks issue on the parliament floor.

What are the Cockroach movement's core demands?

Here are some of the main demands made by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP):

While the Cockroack Janta Party has also spoken of demands around educational reforms and how paper leaks are handles, the above three are their core demands which are sure to be presented to India's union ministers.

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike after government's assurances

Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after 26 days, the Indian activist said Thursday on his X account.

The 59-year-old had been on a hunger strike since June 28 in solidarity with India's youth-led "cockroach" movement.

"Just now in the presence of Union Ministers JP Nadda and Dr. Jitendra Singh and the senior leaders of Apex Body of Leh Ladakh I finally broke my fast after 26 days," Wangchuk wrote.

In another post from the Hospital on Friday morning, Wangchuk wrote that he ended his fast after "getting assurance from the government and members of parliament of all political parties that the issue of accountability in the failing examination system will be discussed on the floors of the Indian Parliament."

He was told that families of students who committed suicide after the national medical entrance exam paper was leaked will be given adequate compensation.

He was also assured that "there will be no cases registered against the peacefully protesting students and youths," Wangchuk worte.

Indian ministers to meet Cockroack movement leaders at 12:30 p.m.

India's youth-led Cockraoch Janta Party(CJP) leaders will meet with a few ministers from the Indian government on Friday in an attempt to resolve the political face-off on the streets of the nation over national examinations paper leaks.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and two of his appointed spokespersons are likely to attend this meeting scheduled at the Constitution Club for 12:30 p.m. IST (0700 GMT).

The club is about 2.4 kilometers (1.4 miles) from the historical protest site of Jantar Mantar where hundreds of students and CJP supporters have been demontrating for more than a month now.

India's Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had earlier offered to hold talks with the CJP at his residence or office. But CJP leaders refused, demanding they meet on neutral grounds. The decision to meet at the Constitution Club came in the hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike.

The meeting raises hopes that the canyon between the government and angry youth could be closing in after days of unrest.

"We hope that the government comes with an open mind and it will listen to the people of this country who have been out on the roads for so long," CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said. "We will explain our demands to them in greater ‌detail. And we hope that the government will listen to us," he told reporters overnight.

The CJP had earlier called a "nationwide" protest on July 24, Friday, asking students and supporters across the country to take to the streets.

Hello! and welcome to DW's India blog.

This is Mahima Kapoor reporting from the New Delhi bureau and I will be your guide through the massive students protests across the country, the latest updates and other important headlines.

Delhi woke up to rain and gusty winds, with a forecast of thunderstorms. But the political climate in the capital is still stormier as protesters and opposition pressure keeps the government on the defensive.

Two things happened around midnight. First, activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike from a hospital after receiving assurance that the the recurring problem of exam paper leaks would be discussed in parliament.

Second, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released one of his lesser-produced videos — in true Gen Z style — appealing to masses that his government was taking several steps to address in the "painful" paper leak issue.

As for today, ministers from Modi's cabinet have agreed to meet Cockroach Janta Party leaders at a neutral ground close to the protest site to discuss their demands and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Meanwhile, protesters across India continue demonstrating against the government and demanding accountability over what they call a failed education system. In Delhi, security has tightened considerably and protesters on ground fear another crackdown.

Tune in for all of this and more.