Delhi police detained approximately 70 people [1] during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The demonstration signals a growing confrontation between student activists and the government over the integrity of national medical entrance exams. Allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination have sparked widespread anger among candidates and educational advocates.
The protest was organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder, Abhijeet Dipke. Demonstrators called for Pradhan to step down as the head of the education ministry following the alleged exam failures. Dipke said the movement is "not here just for one resignation" [2].
Police used a lathicharge and mild force to disperse the crowd [1]. While some reports focused on the party's demands, other accounts detailed the police response and the subsequent detentions of participants [1].
Beyond the physical clash with authorities, protesters expressed frustration with previous attempts at diplomatic resolution. Ashutosh Ranka said a meeting with JP Nadda was a "waste of time" [1].
Local logistics also became a point of contention during the event. Some protesters reported facing commute issues after auto-rickshaw drivers denied them rides [1]. Despite these challenges and the police action, the CJP has indicated that the movement intends to continue its pressure campaign against the ministry [2].
“Not here just for one resignation”
The escalation of the NEET-UG 2026 protests suggests that administrative explanations for exam irregularities are no longer satisfying the public. By shifting demands from a general investigation to the specific resignation of the Union Education Minister, the Cockroach Janta Party is attempting to personalize the failure of the examination system to force a systemic change in how national tests are administered.
