Jantar Mantar protest: Injured student conscious, off ventilator, says RML Hospital
Synopsis
A 21-year-old student critically hurt during the CJP's 'Sansad Chalo' march at Jantar Mantar on 20 July is now conscious and breathing on her own after being taken off the ventilator — a significant turnaround. But the protest that put her there shows no sign of stopping, with the Cockroach Janta Party pressing on with its demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-UG paper leak row.
Key Takeaways
A 21-year-old female student injured at Jantar Mantar on 20 July is now conscious and breathing on her own, RML Hospital confirmed on 24 July .
She was successfully taken off the ventilator approximately 48 hours before the hospital's statement.
Her condition is described as stable but she remains under comprehensive critical care by a multidisciplinary team.
She was allegedly injured after colliding with a police barricade during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) 's 'Sansad Chalo' march.
The CJP protest continues, with the group reiterating its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak .
Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast on Thursday , but the CJP said its agitation will not stop.
A 21-year-old female student who suffered critical injuries during a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 20 July is now conscious, breathing independently, and responding appropriately to commands, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital confirmed in a statement on Friday, 24 July.
Hospital Update on Her Condition
Doctors at RML Hospital said the patient was successfully taken off the ventilator approximately 48 hours before the statement was issued. 'She is showing clinical improvement. She was successfully extubated almost 48 hours back and is breathing on her own. She is conscious and responding appropriately to commands,' the hospital said.
Despite the encouraging progress, the hospital stressed that she continues to require close monitoring. 'Her clinical condition is currently stable. However, she needs and continues to receive comprehensive critical care under the close supervision of the multidisciplinary treating team,' the statement added.
How She Was Injured
The student was among demonstrators participating in the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s 'Sansad Chalo' march on 20 July, which began at Jantar Mantar and was aimed at proceeding towards Parliament. According to reports, she sustained serious injuries after allegedly colliding with a police barricade during a crackdown on protesters attempting to advance towards Parliament.
The march unfolded amid chaotic scenes as security personnel moved to contain the crowd. The student was brought to RML Hospital from the protest site in a critical condition and has since been receiving intensive treatment.
What the Protest Was About
Protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing alleged irregularities in multiple competitive examinations — most prominently, the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG paper leak. The 'Sansad Chalo' march was intended to carry those demands directly to the steps of Parliament.
CJP Protest to Continue
The Cockroach Janta Party has made clear that its agitation at Jantar Mantar will persist, even after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day fast on Thursday. The group reiterated that the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains its primary demand, signalling no immediate let-up in the pressure campaign.
The injured student's recovery will likely remain a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the handling of student-led demonstrations in the capital.
Point of View
But the political context around her injury remains unresolved. Allegations that she was hurt by a police barricade during a lawful demonstration raise accountability questions that neither the police nor the government has publicly addressed. The CJP's insistence on continuing the protest — even as Sonam Wangchuk stepped back — suggests the NEET-UG anger runs deeper than any single face of the movement. If the government does not engage substantively on examination integrity, the Jantar Mantar flashpoint is unlikely to be the last.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current condition of the student injured at Jantar Mantar?
The 21-year-old student is now conscious, breathing on her own, and responding appropriately to commands, according to RML Hospital's statement on 24 July. She was taken off the ventilator approximately 48 hours before the update, though she continues to receive comprehensive critical care.
How was the student injured at Jantar Mantar?
She was reportedly injured on 20 July during the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Sansad Chalo' march at Jantar Mantar. According to reports, she suffered serious injuries after allegedly colliding with a police barricade during a crackdown on protesters attempting to march towards Parliament.
What were the protesters at Jantar Mantar demanding?
Protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The 'Sansad Chalo' march was aimed at taking those demands directly to Parliament.
Is the Cockroach Janta Party protest continuing?
Yes. The CJP has confirmed its protest at Jantar Mantar will continue despite activist Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day fast on Thursday. The group says Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation remains its primary demand.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and what was his role in the protest?
Sonam Wangchuk is an activist who undertook a 26-day fast in solidarity with the student protest movement. He ended his fast on Thursday, but the Cockroach Janta Party clarified that its own agitation at Jantar Mantar would not stop as a result.
