Thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on May 19, 2026, to demand accountability for alleged irregularities in the NEET examinations.

The demonstrations signal a growing crisis of confidence in India's national testing systems. The scale of the unrest has forced the government to implement drastic security measures in the capital, highlighting the volatility of student-led movements.

Protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and various student groups led the march, which received support from opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi. The demonstrators allege that examination papers were leaked, and are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Police estimated that 8,000 people gathered near Jantar Mantar [1]. In response to the crowds, the government shut 17 Delhi Metro stations [2] and deployed additional security personnel across the city. Reports emerged of security forces using pellet guns to disperse the crowds.

Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the CJP, criticized the government's security response. "They've made it like North Korea," Dipke said [3]. He further demanded that the administration "sack Pradhan or become the most incompetent PM in history" [4].

The crackdown resulted in the detention of 70 protesters by police [1]. Amid the tension, activist Sonam Wangchuk warned of a hunger strike to draw attention to the cause. Wangchuk said, "I will end my fast if the government drops charges against protestors" [5].

Government officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have framed the deployment of forces as a necessary security response to maintain order during the large gathering. However, opposition figures continue to pledge support for the students, calling for a transparent investigation into the NEET leaks.

“"They've made it like North Korea"”

The intersection of academic grievances and political opposition creates a significant challenge for the Modi administration. By shutting down critical infrastructure like the Delhi Metro and using force against students, the government risks further alienating the youth demographic. The demand for Minister Pradhan's resignation suggests that the protesters are no longer seeking mere administrative corrections, but are demanding political accountability for systemic failures in the education sector.