Activist Sonam Wangchuk and leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party staged a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Monday to protest examination irregularities [1].
The demonstration highlights growing public frustration over the NEET examination process and the demand for higher accountability within the Indian education system.
Wangchuk, along with party leaders Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka, demanded a meeting with Members of Parliament and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [2, 4]. The protest, which continued through July 20 [1], escalated as police clashed with demonstrators using tear gas and lathi-charges [1].
Authorities reported that 118 police officers were injured during the unrest [6]. Additionally, police detained 70 protesters as they attempted to clear the site [6]. Despite the clashes, Wangchuk remained on his fast, and the Delhi High Court was scheduled to hear a plea regarding his health [1].
Party leaders remained firm on their conditions for dialogue. "Govt will have to come to Jantar Mantar now," Dipke said [3]. Ranka said that the government would have to come to the protesters if they want to talk [3].
The Cockroach Janata Party alleges that the NEET examinations were marred by irregularities that require immediate government intervention [4, 5]. The group has stated that the hunger strike will continue until a meeting with lawmakers, and youth leaders is secured [1].
“Govt will have to come to Jantar Mantar now.”
The mobilization of the Cockroach Janata Party and the involvement of a high-profile activist like Sonam Wangchuk signal a shift from student-led grievances to organized political pressure. By linking examination irregularities to the demand for a cabinet minister's resignation, the protesters are attempting to frame administrative failures as a systemic political crisis requiring a high-level apology or policy overhaul.
