Protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [1].
The demonstration highlights growing public anger over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Because the exam determines entry into medical colleges, any breach of integrity threatens the academic futures of thousands of students across India.
Thousands of people assembled at the site near Parliament House on July 22 [2]. The group has established a tent and a makeshift stage after officials removed their original podium [1]. The protest follows a second consecutive day of marching that took place on Tuesday [3].
Student activist Sonam Wangchuk is participating in the demonstration via a hunger strike. "I will continue my hunger strike until the minister resigns," Wangchuk said [4].
Legal tensions have risen alongside the protests. Authorities have filed six FIRs against individuals involved in the demonstrations [4]. Despite the legal actions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke indicated a willingness to negotiate with the administration to resolve the crisis.
"We are ready to meet Nadda at a neutral venue today if the government is willing to accept our demands," Dipke said [1].
Union Home Minister JP Nadda has signaled a willingness to engage with the group. "The government is ready to debate the NEET paper leak issue with the CJP," Nadda said [5].
There are conflicting reports regarding the specifics of the potential meeting. Some sources indicate that only Nadda is expected to meet the CJP [1], while others suggest that Minister Jitendra Singh will also attend [3]. Additionally, while Dipke requested a neutral venue [1], other reports suggest the talks may be held at the Constitution Club [3].
“"I will continue my hunger strike until the minister resigns."”
The escalation of the NEET protests into a sustained occupation of Jantar Mantar indicates that the controversy has moved beyond a technical administrative failure to a broader political crisis. By demanding the resignation of the Education Minister, the CJP is attempting to establish direct political accountability for the exam's integrity. The government's willingness to negotiate via the Home Minister suggests it views the unrest as a significant stability risk that requires a diplomatic rather than purely legal resolution.
