New Delhi [India], June 6 (HBTV): Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday began its protest at Jantar Mantar against the recent NEET 2026 paper leak and alleged irregularities in the CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, while demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Protesters raised slogans such as, 'Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa do (Dharmendra Pradhan step down). We asked for "Make in India", you gave us "Leak in India".'
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived in New Delhi from Boston, United States, to lead the protest. Dipke was seen at the airport holding a copy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar's autobiography.
'With the full backing of the Constitution of India, cockroaches will begin our protest at Jantar Mantar demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation,' the official CJP handle, 'Coakroach is Back', posted on X.
In a separate post, CJP claimed that Delhi Police had granted permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar and said the demonstration was aimed at pressuring Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.
'Delhi Police has granted permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar. We can now assemble directly at Jantar Mantar and no longer need to go to the Parliament Street Police Station, as originally planned. Cockroaches aa rahe hain, Dharmendra Pradhan jaa rahe hain,' the post stated.
According to an official order issued by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, Delhi Police granted permission to the CJP to hold the protest at Jantar Mantar from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday.
The order, addressed to Dipke, stated that the request for a demonstration had been approved as a one-time exemption in compliance with Supreme Court guidelines and related civil appeals.
The protest comes amid heightened tensions over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy. This year's examination has been rescheduled for June 21 following disruptions, including paper leaks and administrative lapses.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its probe, with multiple arrests made. Officials, including CBI Director Praveen Sood and NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, recently briefed a Parliamentary Standing Committee on the progress of the investigation.
Student organisations have already staged demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of India, demanding accountability for repeated examination irregularities. Several protesters were earlier detained outside the Ministry of Education.
Political reactions have also intensified, with opposition leaders questioning the government's handling of the examination system. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Rahul Gandhi have publicly criticised the Centre over the issue.
(ANI)