Protesters from the Cockroach Janata Party faced a police lathi-charge during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, resulting in multiple injuries.
The clash underscores growing tension between student activists and the Indian government over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and alleged negligence leading to student deaths.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), including founder Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurav Das, said the police used excessive force against demonstrators. The group is demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters said Pradhan's leadership has been marked by negligence regarding student welfare and controversies surrounding the medical entrance examinations.
The demonstration at Jantar Mantar began in June. By June 22, the protest had entered its fourth consecutive day [2]. Despite the violent clashes and accusations that Delhi police disrupted the site, the CJP resumed its activities at the venue.
As the movement grew, other figures joined the cause. Protester Sonam Wangchuk began a hunger strike on June 28 [3]. The action was supported by various khap leaders who joined the CJP in their call for ministerial accountability.
The protest continued through the end of the month, entering its 10th day on June 29 [1]. The CJP leadership continues to highlight the injuries sustained by participants as evidence of state aggression against peaceful dissent.
The situation remains volatile as the CJP maintains that the education minister must be held accountable for the systemic failures within the national testing framework.
“CJP leaders accuse police of excessive force”
The escalation of the CJP protests and the involvement of figures like Sonam Wangchuk indicate that grievances over the NEET exam have evolved from administrative complaints into a broader political movement. By targeting the Union Education Minister, the group is attempting to link specific exam controversies to a wider narrative of government negligence regarding student lives.
