NEW DELHI: A protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) took place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, drawing attention to alleged irregularities in the NEET 2026 examination and the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing concerns over the integrity of national-level examinations.
The demonstration, led by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who returned from Boston to participate, saw participants holding placards and raising slogans such as “We asked for Make in India, you gave us Leak in India.” The CJP has been vocal about issues surrounding examinations, student welfare, and institutional accountability.
Protest Details and Demands
The protest, which was granted permission by the Delhi Police to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., was held as a one-time exemption. The demonstrators specifically targeted the Union Education Minister, holding him responsible for the alleged lapses. Slogans like “Dharmendra Pradhan Istifa do” (Dharmendra Pradhan resign) were prominent among the protesters.
Abhijeet Dipke, addressing the gathering, emphasized the need for accountability and constitutional adherence in seeking solutions to examination-related issues. He highlighted that the concerns extended beyond the NEET paper leak to include other examinations like the CBSE, CUET, and SSC GD recruitment tests, which collectively involve millions of students.
Broader Context of Examination Irregularities
The protest occurs amidst a period of heightened scrutiny over the conduct of competitive examinations in India. The NEET-UG 2026 has faced significant controversy, leading to its rescheduling for June 21. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively investigating the matter, with several arrests already made.
Concerns over examination integrity have been a recurring theme, with allegations of paper leaks, malpractices, and administrative lapses affecting a large number of candidates. The Supreme Court has also been involved, issuing notices and seeking responses from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Centre regarding pleas related to alleged paper leaks and malpractices in NEET-UG.
The CJP’s demonstration at Jantar Mantar reflects a broader public and political demand for transparency and fairness in the examination system. Protesters expressed their determination for a sustained fight, with Dipke stating that while the government might remove social media posts, it cannot erase the movement’s impact.
The protest also saw participation from students and activists, including environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who has previously called for Pradhan’s resignation, citing concerns that extend beyond the immediate examination controversies to the broader state of education in government schools.
The Chenab Times News Desk