Himalayan Express

Author: Himalayan Express

  • “Jhukti hai duniya, jhukaane vaala chahiye,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says will continue protests after Education Minister resigns

    “Jhukti hai duniya, jhukaane vaala chahiye,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says will continue protests after Education Minister resigns

    Cockroach Janata Party on Saturday welcomed the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan but said that they will continue their agitation at Jantar Mantar in the national capital untill all their demands are met.

    “Kaha jaata tha iss sarkar main istife nahi hote. Jhukti hai duniya, jhukaane vaala chahiye,” Abhijeet Dipke said.

    “We have done it,” he said noting that this is the first resignation from PM Narendra Modi’s government.

    Visuals from the protest site showed the protesters breaking out in cheers after the news of the resignation of the Union Minister.

    Dipke said the other two demands include compensation for those who committed suicide and the resignation of the Delhi Police personnel who carried out the lathi charge.

    “1 crore to the families of all students who died by suicide PENDING 3. No action against any of the student protesters PENDING,” the CJP posted on its X platform, adding a check mark on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

  • Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after six-day weather-induced suspension; authorities declare track “safe for pilgrims

    Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after six-day weather-induced suspension; authorities declare track “safe for pilgrims

    The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra resumed on Saturday after remaining suspended for six consecutive days due to adverse weather conditions and safety concerns triggered by heavy rainfall in the region. The pilgrimage was restored after authorities reviewed the weather situation and declared the track safe for pilgrims.

    Pilgrims have been advised to follow the directions of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and security agencies, adhere to safety advisories, and stay updated on weather conditions during their journey. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.

    The suspension had been imposed as a precautionary measure following continuous rain, landslides, and the risk of flash floods along the route.

  • Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns

    Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns

    New Delhi, July 25 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from the Union Council of Ministers, sources said on Saturday.

    The resignation comes after the Cockroach Janta Party CJP issued an ultimatum to the central government, with Pradhan’s resignation listed as one of its main demands. The deadline given by CJP expired today.

    In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan cited personal reasons.

    Pradhan has been handling the Ministry of Education since 2021. During his tenure the ministry focused on implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, expansion of IITs, IIMs and central universities, and push for digital education and skill development.

    Following the resignation, charge of the Ministry of Education has been given as additional charge to a senior cabinet minister until further orders.

    CJP leaders claimed the resignation was a result of public pressure built by the party. BJP leaders described it as a personal decision, while opposition parties said the government must ensure continuity in education reforms.

    No announcement has been made yet on Pradhan’s successor. A cabinet reshuffle is expected in the coming days. (GNS)

  • Stop laying siege at Jantar Mantar: CJP urges Delhi Police to stop detaining, intimidating people

    Stop laying siege at Jantar Mantar: CJP urges Delhi Police to stop detaining, intimidating people

    The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demanded that the Delhi Police immediately stop detaining, intimidating or preventing citizens from reaching Jantar Mantar, alleging that an atmosphere of “fear and siege” has been created around the protest site.

    In a post shared on X, CJP Spokesperson Saurav Das shared the party’s statement and said, “IMPORTANT STATEMENT The Cockroach Janta Party demands that the @DelhiPolice immediately cease and desist from unlawfully detaining, intimidating or preventing citizens from reaching Jantar Mantar and refrain from creating an atmosphere of fear and siege around Jantar Mantar.”

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    In its statement titled “Stop laying siege at Jantar Mantar”, the CJP accused the Delhi Police of taking “increasingly authoritarian actions” in and around the protest site.

    “For over a month now, thousands of students, parents, teachers and ordinary citizens have been sitting peacefully at Jantar Mantar to demand government accountability for examination paper leaks, recruitment failures and the tragic loss of young lives to student suicides,” the party said.

    The CJP alleged that citizens were being detained while attempting to reach the protest site and claimed that volunteers carrying food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies were being stopped from reaching protesters.

    “Instead of facilitating a peaceful democratic protest, the Delhi Police appears to have chosen the path of intimidation,” the party said, adding, “This is nothing short of laying siege to Jantar Mantar.”

    The party asserted that Jantar Mantar was “India’s designated space for democratic dissent” and said protesters were “citizens of India peacefully exercising rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution.”

    The CJP called upon the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to direct officers to stop the alleged detention and intimidation of citizens, allow food, water, medicines and other essential supplies to reach protesters, and ensure access to volunteers, family members, lawyers, journalists and medical personnel.

    The party also urged the Delhi Police to “respect both the letter and spirit of the Constitution” and uphold citizens’ fundamental right to peacefully assemble and express dissent.

    “Governments may disagree with protests. But no authority has the constitutional right to starve, isolate or lay siege to peaceful citizens,” the CJP said.

    “The Cockroach Janta Party urges the Delhi Police to immediately withdraw these unlawful restrictions and ensure that Jantar Mantar remains what it has always symbolised a place where the people of India can peacefully hold power accountable. The Constitution belongs to the people. Jantar Mantar belongs to the people. The police exist to protect both not to lay siege to either,” the statement added.

  • Ram temple completes 10-day atonement ritual after theft allegations

    Ram temple completes 10-day atonement ritual after theft allegations

    A 10-day atonement and purification ritual undertaken at the Ram temple following the alleged theft of devotees’ offerings concluded on Friday evening with a purnahuti (final offering) ceremony, temple trustee Mahant Dinendra Das said.

    The ritual, which began on July 15, was organised by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after the embezzlement allegations came to light.

    Trust office-bearers had said the ceremony was aimed at restoring the sanctity of the temple premises through prescribed religious rites and seeking forgiveness for the lapse.

    Das said on Saturday that the concluding purnahuti included a havan and special worship in the temple’s yagyashala under the guidance of Vedic scholars.

    Trustee Mahant Dinendra Das and trustee Krishna Mohan participated as yajmans and offered ahutis. A community feast was organised on the occasion, during which local Brahmins were served food.

    According to Das, around 70 Vedic acharyas from Ayodhya and other places participated in the 10-day ritual. They performed Vedic chanting, havan, Rudrabhishek and Ramarcha worship, while the chief priest of Ram Lalla recited the Vishnu Sahasranama throughout the period.

    He said the ritual was conducted on the instructions of the Trust’s treasurer, Swami Govind Dev Giri, in accordance with religious traditions followed after incidents such as theft or ritual impurity to restore the temple’s sanctity.

    The ceremony comes amid an ongoing controversy over the theft of offerings from the Ram temple, which led to a government-ordered Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and criminal proceedings. Several arrests have been made in the case, and investigations are underway.

  • LG Manoj Sinha flags off Reading Marathon at Chinar Book Festival

    LG Manoj Sinha flags off Reading Marathon at Chinar Book Festival

    Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday flagged off the Reading Marathon organised as part of the Chinar Book Festival on the banks of the Dal Lake, with thousands of students from colleges and universities across the Union Territory participating in the unique event promoting reading, fitness and environmental awareness.

    Organised by the National Book Trust, the marathon formed part of the Chinar Book Festival and Education Week celebrations, marking six years of the National Education Policy (NEP).

    Participants carried banners and placards bearing messages such as “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Books,” highlighting the campaign’s focus on encouraging reading among the youth.

    Sharing pictures from the event on X, Sinha said the initiative blended education with physical fitness while encouraging young people to take responsibility for protecting nature.

    “Today at the banks of Dal Lake, flagged-off the Reading Marathon, a unique celebration of knowledge, fitness, and responsibility towards nature. Thousands of young readers and runners from colleges & universities of Jammu and Kashmir joined this inspiring event organised by National Book Trust as part of Chinar Book Festival. The Reading Marathon, part of Education Week, marks six successful years of the National Education Policy. It shows that education must go beyond classrooms. With the motto ‘Run for a Green Future’, the reading marathon reminds us that just as knowledge requires discipline, protecting the mother nature demands sustained effort. I urge every participant to take three resolutions Make reading a daily habit, dedicate themselves to environmental conservation and commit to bringing positive change in the society,” he wrote on X.

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    The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and young readers, who ran along the scenic Dal Lake carrying messages promoting literacy, environmental conservation and a drug-free society.

    The Reading Marathon was organised with the theme “Run for a Green Future,” combining sport and fitness with the broader objectives of fostering reading habits, raising awareness about environmental protection and encouraging social responsibility among the youth.

    The Chinar Book Festival is being organised by the National Book Trust to promote a culture of reading and learning in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Reading Marathon emerging as one of its key public engagement activities this year.

  • Houses of two LeT terrorists demolished in Anantnag

    Houses of two LeT terrorists demolished in Anantnag

    Authorities demolished the houses of two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Anantnag, hours after a policeman was shot dead in the south Kashmir district, officials said here on Thursday.

    Houses of Adil Thokar and Haroon Rashid Ganaie, both active terrorists, were razed to the ground during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the officials said.

    The action came shortly after Head Constable Ashiq Hussain, who was on Amarnath Yatra security duty, was shot dead by a lone terrorist at Lal Chowk in Anantnag on Wednesday afternoon.

    Houses of active terrorists have been demolished in Kashmir earlier as well, but the action had stopped for nearly one year due to a drop in violence levels.

  • Jammu-Srinagar national highway closed for second day

    Jammu-Srinagar national highway closed for second day

    The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the second consecutive day on Thursday following multiple landslides and shooting stones triggered by relentless rain in Jammu region.

    The rains, which have been continuing for the past five days, have left 23 people dead and seven missing, officials said.

    Rescue teams have intensified their search for the seven missing persons in the flood and landslide-hit border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, where additional personnel were deployed to scan flood channels and other vulnerable areas.

    The 250-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, has been blocked at five places due to landslides, shooting stones and road erosion at multiple locations between Jakhani in Udhampur district and Banihal in Ramban district

    “Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is still closed for vehicular movement due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations,” a traffic police advisory said.

    Officials said restoration work was underway but continuous rainfall was hampering efforts to clear debris and repair damaged stretches.

    More than 600 vehicles remained stranded at different locations, including Ramban, Nagrota, Jammu, Udhampur, Lakhanpur and Samba, due to the highway closure.

    Authorities advised commuters to avoid travel until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe for traffic.

    Besides the national highway, more than a dozen inter-district roads remained closed due to landslides, mudslides and road erosion. The Doda-Kishtwar road also remained shut, officials said.

    However, the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with Poonch district and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road linking Kashmir with Ladakh remained open for traffic, although heavy rainfall continued along both routes.

    The Meteorological department on Thursday said fresh rainfall was likely in Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and the Chenab Valley districts before spreading to parts of south Kashmir.

    The weather office has forecast moderate to heavy rainfall till Thursday evening and warned that another spell of rain is likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir on Friday under the influence of an active western disturbance.

    Officials said almost all rivers and streams were flowing in spate, while flash floods inundated several low-lying localities, damaging houses, shops and other infrastructure.

    The Chenab river at Akhnoor and the Tawi in Jammu along with other rivers in Jammu region were flowing above the danger mark on Wednesday following incessant rainfall across the Jammu region on Wednesday night, prompting authorities to intensify monitoring and issue public safety advisories.

    The prolonged spell of rain has also caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, power infrastructure and water supply systems across the region.

    Rescue and relief operations have been intensified in the affected districts, with teams from the civil administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies working round-the-clock to evacuate stranded residents, restore connectivity and assess the damage.

    The government is closely monitoring the situation, with restoration of essential services and relief to affected families remaining the top priority, officials said.

    Many areas of Jammu and Kashmir have been lashed by rains in the last 24 hours.

    According to the rainfall data, Reasi recorded the highest precipitation of 119.5 mm.

    Katra received 97.4 mm of rainfall followed by Ramban (71.5 mm), Jammu (60.6 mm), Batote (60.4 mm), Udhampur (53.2 mm), Banihal (53.0 mm), Jammu Airport (42.6 mm), Rajouri (32.6 mm), Kathua (22.2 mm), Doda (15.0 mm), Bhaderwah (14.0 mm), Kishtwar (12.0 mm) and Poonch (11.0 mm).

    In the Kashmir Valley, Qazigund recorded the highest rainfall at 73.3 mm, followed by Pahalgam (60.2 mm), Kokernag (47.9 mm), Gulmarg (39.0 mm), Sangam (37.0 mm), Verinag (35.3 mm), Awantipora (31.2 mm), Baramulla (30.5 mm), Kulgam (24.2 mm), Tangmarg (22.2 mm), Pampore (20.0 mm), Nowgam Handwara (18.6 mm).

    Similarmy, Ganderbal recorded 18.0 mm) followed by Shopian (17.0 mm), Lolab (16.4 mm), Srinagar (15.6 mm), Pulwama (14.2 mm), Wular (14.0 mm), Sonamarg (13.0 mm), Sopore (12.0 mm), Kupwara (6.9 mm) and Charar-i-Sharief (6.6 mm),

    In the Union Territory of Ladakh, Leh received 0.6 mm of rainfall.

  • Government Ready for Discussion on NEET-UG Paper Leak in Lok Sabha, Says Kiren Rijiju

    Government Ready for Discussion on NEET-UG Paper Leak in Lok Sabha, Says Kiren Rijiju

    Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that the government is ready to hold a discussion on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak issue, urging floor leaders of all political parties to decide the rules and duration of the debate.

    Addressing the House, Rijiju said the government has been offering to discuss the matter for the past three days.

    “For three days, the government has formally offered that discussions be held. The government is ready to discuss the NEET paper leak issue. The discussion will happen based on rules, and its duration will be decided after consultations with floor leaders of all parties,” Rijiju said.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also stated that the government is prepared for a discussion and invited opposition parties to hold consultations to finalise the agenda and framework of the debate.

    Following Rijiju’s remarks, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the issue was larger than political interests and concerned the future of students.

    “These are our students, and we are fighting for them. The issue is not merely restricted to resignation. Action must be taken against those responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement in the House,” Yadav said.

    Amid continued sloganeering and protests by Opposition members, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned till 2 pm.

    Earlier in the day, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal said Opposition parties had unanimously decided to continue pressing for a discussion on the alleged NEET and CBSE examination paper leak through an adjournment motion while reiterating their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

    “Today morning, we held discussions with Opposition parties. For the last three days, we have continuously submitted adjournment motions on the NEET-CBSE paper leak issue, demanding the resignation of the Education Minister and a concrete action plan to prevent such incidents,” Venugopal said.

    He added that the Opposition was ready for a discussion if the government accepted the adjournment motion.

    Meanwhile, Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several others, staged a protest in the Parliament complex wearing black clothes to press their demands.

    Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students were raising genuine concerns and seeking their rightful demands, urging the government to address the issue seriously.

  • Supreme Court Dismisses Urgent Hearing on Police Action During Student Protest

    Supreme Court Dismisses Urgent Hearing on Police Action During Student Protest

    The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday declined to urgently hear a plea related to the police action against student protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest highlighted serious allegations surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

    This decision came after the issue was presented before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, where the petitioner’s counsel urged for an immediate hearing. The Chief Justice responded sharply, stating, “Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time.”

    The lawyer argued that the students were raising critical concerns about public issues, including the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the overall conduct of the examination, and pressing demands for reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA).

    As the counsel referenced videos allegedly showing police action against the demonstrators, Chief Justice Kant dismissed this evidence, saying, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch.” The bench ultimately did not entertain the request for urgent proceedings.

    This significant development follows a similar ruling from the Delhi High Court, which also declined to give urgent attention to a plea concerning the police actions during the protests. Such refusals raise questions about the judiciary’s engagement with matters affecting student rights and academic integrity.

    The CJP has actively led protests against the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and advocating for major reforms in the examination system. The protests grew more intense with a recent march toward Parliament, during which clashes erupted between the protesters and police. These incidents sparked allegations of excessive police force and resulted in multiple detentions.

    While the Supreme Court’s observations specifically addressed the urgency of the appeal, they did not equate to a dismissal of the substantive claims made by the petitioners concerning the alleged police excesses during the protests.

    In recent months, student protests have gained momentum across several states, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability within the education sector. The NEET examinations have frequently faced scrutiny, with students voicing concerns over fairness and the integrity of the evaluation process.

    This decision by the Supreme Court highlights a critical juncture in India’s educational landscape. While judicial intervention is essential in such disputes, the court’s prioritization of urgent matters raises concerns regarding systemic issues causing unrest among students.

    As the situation unfolds, experts suggest that more proactive measures from both judicial authorities and the government are necessary to address the grievances of concerned students effectively and mitigate potential escalating protests.