Youth-Led Cockroach Janta Party Demands Education Minister's Resignation

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical youth-led movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke, is leading nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation was sparked by the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak, which affected approximately two million students and was linked to numerous student suicides. The movement adopted its name after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared unemployed youth to cockroaches.

Tensions escalated during a July 20 march toward Parliament in New Delhi, where Delhi Police used tear gas and batons to disperse thousands of demonstrators. The crackdown resulted in over 150 injuries to protesters and 120 to police personnel. In response, the government implemented security clampdowns, including the closure of 17 Delhi Metro stations and temporary internet shutdowns around Jantar Mantar. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, joined the protests and were briefly detained, while the Congress party demanded Pradhan's immediate dismissal.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk supported the movement with an indefinite hunger strike beginning June 28. He ended his fast on July 24 after receiving written assurances from Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh. These guarantees include parliamentary discussions on examination reforms, compensation for suicide victims, and a pledge not to register cases against peaceful protesters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded by announcing the establishment of fast-track courts and a draft Anti-Paper Leak Bill featuring stricter punishments. Despite these concessions, the CJP maintains that Pradhan's resignation is non-negotiable. Following a meeting at the Constitution Club of India on July 24, the government requested more time to respond to the demand for the minister's resignation.