Parties, youth forums in Kerala’s Kochi cheer protest victory in Delhi

Activists holding a celebration at Kaloor in Kochi on July 25, 2026 to mark the success of the student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Political parties, youth organizations and countless others on Saturday (July 25, 2026) joined the victory celebrations of the student agitation in New Delhi that culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding solidarity rallies in various parts of the city.

The Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) organized a ‘Janadhipathya Sangamam’ while the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) started a victory march through the city.

Inaugurating the Congress meeting at Rajendra Maidan, Vice President Kunnathunad MLA Sajeendran hailed the protesters for forcing the Union minister to resign while adding that the issues regarding the NEET question paper leak were yet to be resolved. “All the culprits behind the paper leaks must be brought to book and punished in an exemplary manner. The Congress will launch more aggressive protests if the Center does not take strict action against the culprits, especially when several more probes are pending,” Sajeendran said. DCC president and Kochi MLA Mohammed Shiyas, who chaired the meeting, termed the minister’s resignation as a “victory for democracy”.

Congress activists led by MLAs TJ Vinod and Anwar Sadath and Kochi Mayor VK Minimol and other leaders took out a victory procession from Menaka Junction to the Gandhi statue at Rajendra Maidan before the meeting.

Activists holding a celebration at Kaloor in Kochi to mark the success of the student protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi | Photo credit: RK Nithin

Meanwhile, a group of youth gathered in Kaloor and celebrated the triumph of the protests in Delhi. The participants, who connected through phone calls on social media, marched from Kaloor metro station to the JLN Stadium with placards praising democracy.

DYFI District Committee took a ceremonial march from Ernakulam North to High Court Junction. District Secretary Nikhil Babu inaugurated the solidarity meeting presided over by District Committee Member TS Shifas. Activists of the Students’ Federation of India, led by district secretary Asish S. Anand, also organized celebrations in the city.

A Cockroach Janta Party supporter with the party’s logo painted on his face, holding a copy of the Constitution of India as he participates in a pride march organized by the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad in the city. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The district committee of the All India Professional Congress (AIPC) organized a rally at Queen’s Walkway. Former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Venu Rajamony, addressed the meeting demanding strong legislation to bring permanent solutions to issues like question paper leaks. AIPC district president Eldho Chirackachalil and leaders including Nobi Thomas and Fazal Rahman addressed the meeting.

The district committee of Aam Aadmi Party took out a protest march and organized a solidarity meeting in Aluva.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 22:09 IST