Thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi on Tuesday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [4].
The demonstrations signal a growing crisis over the integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a high-stakes exam for medical aspirants. The scale of the unrest has forced the government to implement sweeping security measures across the national capital.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, organized the second consecutive day of protests following clashes on Monday [2]. After authorities removed a podium, protesters erected a tent to maintain their presence at the site [1]. Activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the movement, conducting a hunger strike to draw attention to the cause [3].
Violence erupted during the unrest, leading to significant casualties and property damage. Delhi Police reported that more than 118 police personnel were injured [1]. Additionally, more than 20 police vehicles were damaged during the confrontations [1].
To manage the crowds and prevent further escalation, authorities took drastic measures regarding city infrastructure. The government shut 16 Delhi Metro stations to restrict movement into the protest zones [5]. These security actions were coordinated alongside Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh to maintain order in the capital [2].
The CJP and other organizers said the protests are a response to an alleged leak of the NEET examination paper [1]. They are seeking a comprehensive discussion on the leak, and broader student issues, within Parliament [6].
Protesters said the current administration must be held accountable for the perceived failure of the examination process [1]. The movement has gained momentum as students and activists continue to push for systemic reforms in the medical entrance process [3].
“Thousands of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi on Tuesday”
The escalation of the NEET protests from student grievances to a large-scale political demonstration involving the Cockroach Janta Party and prominent activists like Sonam Wangchuk indicates a deepening trust deficit between the youth and the education ministry. The shutdown of 16 metro stations and the high number of police injuries suggest that the government views the unrest not merely as a policy dispute, but as a significant security threat to the capital's stability.
