Jubilant scenes erupted at Jantar Mantar on Saturday as chants of “Hum Jeet Gaye” (We have won) rang out across the protest site after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, following weeks of demonstrations over examination paper leaks.

As the celebrations continued, authorities began overseeing the winding down of the demonstration, urging protesters to disperse peacefully, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) reopened all entry and exit gates at nearby stations to facilitate their movement.

Celebratory chants and slogans echoed through the historic protest site, marking a dramatic climax to weeks of mounting public outrage and agitations over examination paper leaks and systemic flaws in national competitive tests.

For many, the moment was deeply personal. Among those was Rajesh Thapa, father of late NEET-UG aspirant Riya Thapa, who lost her life due to the examination uncertainty. Holding on to the memory of his daughter, he spoke to PTI about why he chose to stand alongside the student community.“Children are fighting for their rights, if my daughter were here, she might have joined them too. I thought to myself, since she isn’t here, I should go in her place, so that nothing like this ever happens to anyone else’s child,” Mr. Thapa said, his voice heavy with emotion.

– PTI