Protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET exam paper leaks.
The ongoing demonstrations highlight growing public frustration with the integrity of India's national medical entrance exams and the perceived lack of accountability within the education ministry.
The sit-in protest, which began in early June 2026, entered its fifth week in early July [2]. The movement is led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and includes climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has launched an indefinite hunger strike [4].
Protesters allege that the NEET examination paper was leaked, implicating the education ministry in a systemic failure. While the movement began with specific demands regarding the leaks, it has evolved into a broader push for comprehensive educational reforms [2].
The CJP has employed various tactics to draw attention to the cause. On June 24, 2026, as the protest entered its fourth day, the group launched a campaign encouraging participants to bring diapers and write their demands on them [3]. This was followed by a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign announced on June 26, 2026 [5].
The atmosphere at the site has been volatile. Two Delhi Police constables said they experienced horror while managing the CJP's protests at Jantar Mantar [1]. These accounts reflect the tension between law enforcement and the student-led demonstrations.
Government officials have offered certain concessions, but the protesters maintain that only the resignation of Minister Pradhan will suffice. The CJP continues to call for systemic changes to prevent future leaks, and ensure the fairness of national examinations [2].
“The sit-in protest, which began in early June 2026, entered its fifth week in early July.”
The persistence of the Jantar Mantar sit-in suggests that the NEET paper leak is not viewed by activists as an isolated administrative error, but as a symptom of deeper systemic corruption. By involving high-profile figures like Sonam Wangchuk and employing provocative street theater, the movement is attempting to transform a student grievance into a national mandate for education reform.
