MEA verifies viral post claiming ‘no foreign funding for CJP’ is misleading — Here’s the truth | Today’s news
The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday said that viral posts about alleged foreign funding of the recent Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests, attributed to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, were “misleading”.
The Foreign Office said the viral posts misrepresent the actual statement Jaiswal made during a fortnightly media briefing on Friday 24 July.
“The post is misleading and misrepresents the speaker’s statement,” the MEA Fact Check unit said in X’s post.
What did the viral posts claim?
Quick answers to key questions
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The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the viral posts misrepresented the comments of spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, saying that he had no information to share about foreign funding related to the CJP protests.
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is significant as it marked a major victory for the CJP student movement, stemming from their demands for accountability for the NEET-UG paper leak and reforms in the education sector.
The CJP protests began as a response to Chief Justice Surya Kant’s controversial remark regarding the protesting youth that sparked widespread outrage and evolved into a structured movement demanding education reforms and accountability.
The government assured the CJP that it would address their remaining demands, which included compensation to the families of students who died by suicide and withdrawal of FIRs against the protesters, prompting the movement to withdraw its agitation.
The CJP protests have highlighted systemic problems in India’s education system, sparking discussions about reforming examination processes and increasing government accountability, reflecting a broader demand for change among the youth.
X’s viral post claimed that Jaiswal said, “I have been asked many times about the funding of the CJP protest. What I want to say is that our intelligence and investigations reveal that there is no foreign funding involved.”
Read also | ‘No information’: MEA on foreign funding allegations behind CJP protest
What did the MEA actually say?
Rejecting the viral claim, the MEA said the spokesperson’s actual response was, “Madhu, regarding the point you raised regarding allegations of foreign funding and other such allegations in connection with the ongoing protests, I would like to say that I have no information to share with you on the matter at this time.
The ministry said the viral post inaccurately portrayed the spokesperson’s remarks by attributing a statement that was never made, and reiterated that the official response was limited to saying there was no information to share on the matter at the time.
Read also | CJP Protest LIVE: PM Modi Announces Task Force on Exam Reforms
CJP protest
The 37-day-long CJP protest culminated in the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday afternoon. What started as a satirical social media account following CJI Surya Kant’s remarks, the Cockroach Janata Party withdrew its protest from Jantar Mantar after receiving assurances from the government about its demands.
After more than a week of protests, the movement saw a new impetus when Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk joined and became the face of the agitation with her 26-day hunger strike.
Six student union presidents also went on hunger strike alongside Wangchuk. Three of them were reportedly hospitalized, while three others broke their fast on July 20.
The agitation culminated in the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march on 20 July, which was met with police action against the protesters. The police action drew criticism from the opposition, while police claimed the protest was violent.
The pressure began to build during the nationwide protests after July 20, when many political parties joined the movement.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI MP P Sandosh, former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia and Army Chief Bhim Chandrashekhar Azad were among the leaders who joined the CJP at Jantar Mantar.
Read also | Dharmendra Pradhan ends: Jantar Mantara celebrations on Saturday
Dharmendra Pradhan resigns
Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and it was accepted. The announcement made by Pradhan on X sparked celebration at the protest site.
In his letter, Pradhan said he was resigning in the larger interest of the students to ensure that the youth of the country “does not get caught in the web of confusion”.
After days of adjournments and adjournments, the center and the opposition are set to lock horns in parliament on Monday. The Center will introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, which will provide for fast-track trials and stiff penalties.
