Police used tear gas and lathi-charges to disperse supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar after the gathering was declared illegal [1].
The clashes highlight growing tensions over India's national medical entrance exams and the perceived failure of education reforms. The movement has drawn high-profile activists to the capital, escalating a policy dispute into a violent public confrontation.
The protest began on June 20, 2026 [1]. It was led by the party's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, who called for public mobilization to sustain the movement. "I request you all please join us tomorrow morning 9 am at Jantar Mantar," Dipke said [3]. "We are holding the fort, but without your support, this movement won't be successful."
Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing grievances over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) policy [2]. The situation deteriorated as protesters attempted to breach police barricades. These attempts led to clashes involving stone-pelting and a subsequent police crackdown.
A Delhi Police spokesperson said the protest was declared illegal and, after repeated attempts to breach the barricades, police were compelled to use tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd [2].
The movement gained further momentum on June 28, 2026, when activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the cause [3]. Wangchuk launched a hunger strike to amplify the demands for the minister's resignation. "I am beginning a hunger strike to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan," Wangchuk said [3].
While the Cockroach Janata Party maintains the necessity of the protest for systemic reform, security officials have categorized the actions as unlawful due to the breach of public order, and the violence that ensued during the clashes [1].
“"The protest was declared illegal and... police were compelled to use tear-gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd."”
The intersection of student-led grievances over the NEET exam and the involvement of established activists like Sonam Wangchuk indicates a broadening coalition against the current education ministry. By framing the issue around the resignation of a specific cabinet member, the Cockroach Janata Party is attempting to turn a policy failure into a political liability for the administration.
