Students Clash With Police Demanding Education Minister's Resignation

Thousands of students and youth, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), marched toward the Indian Parliament in New Delhi on July 20, 2026. The protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and sweeping reforms following allegations of massive paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2026 examinations. The agitation was intensified by the forced hospitalization of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for three weeks.

Delhi Police responded to the "Sansad Chalo" march with lathi-charges, tear gas, and mobile internet shutdowns at 150 locations. Clashes erupted near Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar, resulting in injuries to over 100 police personnel and dozens of protesters. Authorities also dismantled the CJP's month-long protest camp at Jantar Mantar, while the Delhi High Court heard a petition alleging intrusive police surveillance of the demonstrators.

Political tensions peaked during the opening day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, where opposition leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party stalled proceedings to demand accountability for the exam leaks. While Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed the protesters as a "B-team of terrorists," Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda met with CJP representatives to discuss demands for Pradhan's resignation, Wangchuk's release, and compensation for the families of students who committed suicide.

Solidarity protests also spread to Lucknow, Shimla, Mumbai, and Pune. The CJP, founded by Abhijeet Dipke as a satirical response to comments by Chief Justice Surya Kant comparing unemployed youth to cockroaches, maintains that its agitation will continue until the government ensures systemic accountability.