Protesters from the Cockroach Janata Party continued their demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 [2], demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest signals a deepening conflict between student activists and the central government over the integrity of national examinations. The movement has shifted from a policy critique to a direct confrontation with law enforcement following violent clashes.
Activists, led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, established a tent and makeshift stage at the site to maintain their presence. The group is calling for Pradhan to step down due to alleged irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) [1], [3].
Sonam Wangchuk has joined the movement by beginning a hunger strike. His action follows a police lathi-charge that occurred on Monday, July 20, 2026 [2], during a march toward Parliament. The use of force by Delhi Police has intensified the protesters' demands for accountability.
In response to the unrest, the central government increased security in the capital. The Centre deployed 20 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to manage the situation [2].
The CJP continues to maintain its position at Jantar Mantar, using the space to highlight what they describe as systemic failures in the education sector. The presence of the CRPF suggests the government expects further attempts by the group to march toward government buildings.
“Sonam Wangchuk has joined the movement by beginning a hunger strike.”
The escalation of the CJP protest—moving from peaceful assembly to hunger strikes and the deployment of paramilitary forces—indicates a volatile atmosphere regarding India's competitive examination system. By targeting the Education Minister specifically, the protesters are attempting to personalize political accountability for administrative failures in the NEET process, while the government's security response suggests a priority on maintaining order over immediate diplomatic negotiation.
