The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has declared that its demonstration at Jantar Mantar will persist until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns and accepts liability for the NEET paper leak.
Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the satirical political outfit, informed the media that the protest will only conclude once the minister vacates his office, reports NDTV.
Dipke, a Boston University public relations graduate who recently returned to India, said CJP is unwilling to meet government officials at their private residences. He stipulated that any future negotiations must take place at Jantar Mantar or a neutral site.
This decision follows a previous meeting where CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were reportedly made to wait for five hours for a discussion that lasted only ten minutes. “We don’t want to do that anymore because they were just wasting our time,” Dipke remarked.
Referring to an archival image of a younger Pradhan protesting examination leaks in Odisha, Dipke suggested the minister should join the current agitators at the protest site. He added that the group has already drafted a resignation letter for the minister to sign.
The CJP leader also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal for fast-track courts as “vague” and lacking substantial action against the minister, whom he described as the “real culprit”.
Dipke alleged that Pradhan is responsible for the deaths of over 20 students and demanded his removal to prevent further tragedy.
Despite suffering from a fever earlier in the day, Dipke returned to the site by the evening. He emphasised that the movement has gained national momentum, with protests reported in Mumbai, Nashik, Mizoram, Jaipur, Madhya Pradesh, and Bangalore.
Dipke questioned the prime minister’s decision to retain the minister, arguing that the welfare of hundreds of thousands of students outweighs the position of a single official.
The agitation, which commenced on 6 June, saw an increase in public attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk initiated a hunger strike on 28 June. The gathering, comprised largely of young people, has raised broader concerns regarding unemployment and alleged discrepancies in CBSE’s on-screen marking.
Dipke concluded that the movement is essential for establishing accountability, ensuring future ministers understand that their positions are not secure if student welfare is compromised.
