Hundreds of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [3].
The demonstration highlights growing public anger over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alleges that a paper leak compromised the integrity of the national exam, sparking calls for systemic accountability.
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the CJP, led the gathering and emphasized the resolve of the movement. "Can't erase us," Dipke said [2].
Delhi Police implemented significant security measures to manage the crowd. Authorities deployed more than 1,000 personnel [1, 4] to maintain order at Jantar Mantar. Security was also heightened at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to prevent disruptions [1].
A spokesperson for the CJP protest said, "We demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan" [5]. The group argues that the leak represents a failure of governance within the education ministry.
Other figures have linked the protest to a broader need for institutional reform. Sonam Wangchuk said, "Not only exam or education, change needs to be in all systems" [6].
Despite the heavy police presence, the event saw some confrontations. Reports indicate that six people were detained following the protest [7]. The Delhi Police continued to monitor the site throughout the day to ensure that the demonstration did not escalate into wider unrest.
“"Can't erase us"”
The mobilization of the Cockroach Janta Party reflects a trend of niche political movements leveraging specific administrative failures—such as exam leaks—to challenge high-ranking government officials. By focusing on the NEET paper leak, the protesters are tapping into a widespread anxiety among students regarding meritocracy and transparency in India's competitive examination system.
