Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday met Panshul Bansal, who secured All India Rank 2 in the re-conducted NEET-UG 2026 examination, even as protests demanding the minister’s resignation over the exam paper leak continued in the national capital. Sharing a photograph from the meeting, Pradhan praised the Haryana student for his dedication and outstanding performance, saying his achievement reflected the determination and aspirations of India’s youth. Bansal scored 715 out of 720 marks in the re-examination held on June 21 after the original NEET-UG exam conducted on May 3 was cancelled due to a paper leak. Although he tied for the highest score, he was placed second under the prescribed tie-breaking rules.
The meeting came a day after activist Sonam Wangchuk was removed from his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police on medical grounds. Wangchuk had been fasting for 21 days, demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Following his removal to Safdarjung Hospital, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, intensified its agitation and announced that its protest would continue.
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Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and denied permission for the CJP’s proposed ‘Chalo Sansad’ march. Authorities warned that gatherings beyond the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar would invite legal action. Security across central Delhi was significantly enhanced with additional personnel, barricades and vehicle checks.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders criticised the government’s handling of the protests, accusing it of suppressing peaceful demonstrations. Delhi Police, however, maintained that Wangchuk’s removal followed court directions and medical advice, insisting that officers exercised maximum restraint during the operation.
