Thousands of protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi celebrated on Saturday after news emerged that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had resigned amid a continuing movement over alleged question-paper leaks. Demonstrators chanted that the “dictator” had been defeated, danced with national flags, embraced one another and described the resignation as a major success for their campaign.

Pradhan submitted his resignation to the prime minister on Saturday. He said the decision was not a matter of personal dignity and that developments over the past 10 days had deeply disturbed him. Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, led the gathering, waved the national flag and played A. R. Rahman’s rendition of Vande Mataram. Some participants danced to Chak De India, while others carried portraits and posters of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Dipke said the resignation showed democratic movements could not be ignored, but declared that the protest was not over. He demanded 1 crore rupees in compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the paper leaks, an inquiry into police conduct during the July 20 protest, and action against those responsible. Student Ritika urged continued protests until education reforms are promised.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu said there was no political motive behind the president’s resignation, stating that the president stepped down voluntarily and had the right to resign. He made the remarks on July 25, 2026, as chief guest at the oath-taking and inauguration ceremony for the new committee of the Feni Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mintu said national development and employment would not be possible without trade, commerce and investment. If businesses are given proper opportunities to operate, he said, jobs can be created for unemployed young people as well as educated and semi-educated people. He warned that failure to arrange employment for young people could increase terrorism and drug addiction, causing instability and disorder in society.

The minister said political and social stability must be ensured to secure economic prosperity and called for a favorable environment for investment. Describing drugs and teenage gangs as nationwide problems, he urged opportunities for young people’s physical and mental development. He also expressed hope for projects to address Feni’s Lalpul crossing, the Musapur regulator issue, and construction of a medical college.

Bangladesh’s Cabinet Division issued notifications announcing President Md Shahabuddin’s resignation and assigning parliamentary Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikram, to perform presidential duties. The separate notifications were issued on Friday and published on Saturday, according to the report.

A notification signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said Shahabuddin relinquished his office on Friday under Article 50(3) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It said the resignation would take effect immediately.

A second notification said that, following Shahabuddin’s departure from the presidency, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed would perform the president’s duties under Article 54 of the constitution until a subsequent president is elected. The order placing him in charge also took immediate effect.

Climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk called Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation a “victory for democracy” in his first reaction after the announcement. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Wangchuk said democracy comes from the streets and described the outcome as a victory of peace, patience and perseverance. The report was published on July 25, 2026.

Wangchuk shared a photograph from a hospital bed showing a V sign. He congratulated the satirical political organization Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, which led the movement, as well as the country’s youth. He also thanked citizens from across the country for overcoming fear and joining the protests.

Wangchuk joined the CJP-called movement on June 28, demanding Pradhan’s resignation and reform of the education system. He began a hunger strike and ended it on Thursday night after 26 days, following government assurances of parliamentary discussion on question-paper leaks, no legal action against protesting students, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide over the leaks. He said the movement would now shift from accountability toward education-system reform.

Police in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against leaders and activists of Jubo League, Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League over allegations of preparing an anti-government march and conspiring against the state. The case names 18 people and includes another 30 to 40 unidentified accused, bringing the total to as many as 58 people.

Sub-Inspector Masum Billah of Siddhirganj police station filed the case on Thursday night. According to the case statement, police received secret information on the morning of 22 July that activists of a banned organisation had gathered in the Madaninagar area to hold an anti-government procession and chant slogans. The accused fled when police conducted an operation at the site, the statement said.

The case statement, citing local information and police investigation, alleges that those accused were active members or supporters of the banned organisation and had assembled to conduct anti-government activities and destabilise the country. Named accused include Tati League president Liton, Swechchhasebak League leader Jahir, Jubo League president Nazrul Islam and Chhatra League leader Habibur Rahman Habib. Police arrested Masud Mia and Rahul, while operations to arrest others continue.

Students of Naogaon Government Polytechnic Institute held a human chain in Naogaon to express solidarity with ongoing student protests in India. The event was held at 11am on Saturday at the institute’s main gate, with students from several departments participating. They voiced support for the protesting students in India and for what they described as their legitimate demands.

The programme was chaired by Rahad Hasan Akash, president of Naogaon Youth Club and a student at the institute. He said the gathering was not directed against any country, but supported students’ rights, a transparent education system and peaceful freedom of expression. He condemned the use of force in the Indian student movement and called for the release of detained students and compensation for those injured.

Akash also urged swift reforms to address corruption and irregularities in Bangladesh’s education system, calling for proper recognition of merit, hard work and honesty. Participants chanted demands for accepting students’ legitimate demands, ensuring their safety and ending violence against them. They displayed placards supporting Indian students. The programme ended peacefully, with participants reaffirming support for democratic and non-violent movements seeking students’ legitimate demands.

Cockerroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke and a large number of protesters celebrated at Jantar Mantar after Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation. The report, published on July 25, 2026, said Pradhan declared his resignation on X on Saturday before the third round of talks between the central government and the CJP.

Dipke described the resignation as a symbol of democracy’s victory and said the strength of cockroaches should not be taken lightly. He said no one’s power is permanent in the face of public demands. He also demanded compensation of one crore taka for each family of students who died by suicide in connection with question-paper leaks.

Dipke further called for strict action against police personnel involved in baton-charging protesters on July 20. In his resignation announcement, Pradhan said he had submitted his resignation to the prime minister so that anti-national groups could not exploit the current situation. He said talented students’ futures would not be ruined because of examination-related mafias, adding that he had taken responsibility for the incident from the beginning.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said extrajudicial killings have fallen to nearly zero under the current government. He made the statement on July 25 as chief guest at a consultation meeting organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. The minister also said the government follows a zero-tolerance policy on enforced disappearances.

He said the government has been working to withdraw cases filed out of political vengeance between 2009 and 2024 and has reached the final stage of a decision. Rape cases will not be considered for withdrawal even if they are claimed to be politically motivated, he said. Drug cases will be reviewed carefully to determine whether they were filed to harass opponents.

The minister said three rounds of consultations with civil society, law-enforcement agencies and development partners were completed before final drafts of the Human Rights Commission Act and the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act. Both bills have been sent to a cabinet committee, and he expects them to be placed in parliament quickly after cabinet approval at its next meeting.

Bangladesh’s newly appointed Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Khandaker Misbah Ul Azim, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday. Their meeting covered national maritime security, strengthening the professional capacity of the Bangladesh Navy, modernization of the force, and other related matters.

The prime minister praised the Bangladesh Navy’s professionalism and its important role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and ensuring maritime security. He also expressed hope that the newly appointed navy chief would carry out his responsibilities successfully.

Vice Admiral Khandaker Misbah Ul Azim expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s guidance and confidence as he takes on his duties. The report said the discussion included issues connected to maritime security and efforts to enhance the navy’s capabilities and modernization.

Acting President and Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will conduct official duties from Bangabhaban while continuing to live at the speaker’s official residence inside the National Parliament complex. He disclosed the arrangement while speaking to the media on Saturday.

Special security measures have been in force since Friday afternoon at the speaker’s official residence and surrounding areas in the parliament complex as part of presidential security. Ahmed assumed the role of acting president under the constitution after President Md. Sahabuddin resigned on Friday, citing health reasons.

According to Shayrul Kabir Khan, Ahmed is scheduled to place a wreath in tribute to the martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar at 11am on Sunday. At 12:30pm, he is due to pay respects and offer prayers at the graves of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku accused the banned Awami League of being the only party that distorts history at a seminar in Bogura on Saturday morning. Speaking as chief guest at the Momin Convention Centre event organised by the Bogura History Practice and Research Welfare Association, he said the Hasina government had deprived the northern region of development. He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working to pull the country out of a fragile economic situation left behind by the Awami League.

Tuku said the 1971 Liberation War began against inequality, but alleged that the Awami League created greater inequality after taking power. He said Jamaat could not win people over with what he called false promises of heaven, and that voters had brought the BNP to power. He said the government would pursue balanced development across the country, including in the lagging northern region.

The minister said 10,000 megawatts of electricity would be generated over the next five years to address power shortages, while work had begun to spread solar panels nationwide. State ministers Mir Shahe Alam and Md Abdul Bari also said the government was planning development to address the northern region's long-standing deprivation.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member Mohammad Selim Uddin called on the government to implement the July Charter “letter by letter” without delay. He made the demand on Saturday, July 25, at an art competition titled “Tulite July” commemorating July martyrs at the IES School and College field in Uttara, Dhaka. The event was organized by the July Mass Uprising Celebration Committee, Uttara.

Selim Uddin, also the ameer of Jamaat’s Dhaka North unit and the party’s nominated DNCC mayoral candidate, said the country and its national identity would be endangered if July were allowed to be undermined. He described July as a historic victory achieved through a student-public movement against autocracy and fascism. He alleged that political failure, lack of goodwill and the ruling side’s excessive desire for power had put those achievements at risk.

He accused the government of ignoring the July Charter and trying to bypass it through what he called a misinterpretation of the constitution. He also alleged that confusion was being created by describing the charter as a presidential order. Calling for an end to delays, he urged the government to return to positive politics and warned that it would pay a high price otherwise.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Bangladesh could advance by putting agriculture and young people to work. He made the remarks as chief guest at an annual planning conference at the Rural Development Academy in Bogura on July 25. He said the government was trying to move the country forward and that the prime minister was working for development, including in Bogura.

Fakhrul said interest in producing agricultural products was declining and needed to be revived. He called for expanded activities around products invented by agricultural scientists. Saying young people now seek jobs, he argued that encouraging them to enter agriculture could transform the country. He also said creating a business-friendly environment was a responsibility and referred to increasing allocations for agricultural and other research.

The minister toured an exhibition of green technologies developed at the academy and received briefings from officials. The exhibition featured environmentally friendly technologies, agriculture and rural development innovations, and initiatives supporting sustainable development. Two Bogura members of parliament, ministry secretaries, officials, government representatives, agricultural experts and researchers attended the daylong conference.

Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) A K M Shamsul Islam said Bangladesh cannot move forward without the spirit of July. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a discussion titled “Looking Back at the July Revolution-2024,” organised by RAWA at the RAWA Club in Mohakhali, Dhaka.

He defined the July spirit as eliminating discrimination in all sectors and establishing good governance. He also warned that the spirit should not be used for political purposes. Describing Bangladesh as a victorious nation, he said the country would not bow to any hegemonic power.

The adviser said the lesson of July was to build a justice-based social system. He stated that those involved in enforced disappearances and killings would not receive promotions under any circumstances. He also said the verdict in the Major Sinha murder case would be implemented quickly. The discussion was chaired by RAWA Chairman Brigadier General Abdul Haque.

India’s Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi said moving Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to another ministry would not be acceptable to protesting students, demanding his complete removal from the cabinet. Speaking to journalists in New Delhi on Saturday alongside three representatives of the All India Students’ Association, Gandhi highlighted students’ three-point demands linked to the exam question-paper leak issue.

Gandhi described Pradhan as corrupt, incompetent and unable to fulfil his responsibilities. He said information from within the government indicated discussions about shifting the minister to another portfolio, but argued that students did not want advice or a transfer and instead sought Pradhan’s removal. Gandhi accused the government of failing to give proper attention to students’ actual demands.

He also called for accountability for people and officials involved in police action, including baton charges, during the students’ July 20 protest march toward Parliament. Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said Modi should publicly apologise for what he described as the government’s lack of accountability to students and police “abuse” against them. He urged the government to take prompt and effective action in support of the protesters’ demands.