Delhi police ordered members of the Cockroach Janta Party to vacate Jantar Mantar on Saturday after a protest against education officials [1].
The demonstration highlights growing public anger over systemic failures in India's national testing infrastructure, specifically regarding the integrity of high-stakes medical entrance exams.
Led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, the group demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan [2]. The protesters cited the NEET 2026 paper leak and alleged irregularities within Central Board of Secondary Education examinations as the primary drivers for their action [4].
"We won't leave until Pradhan resigns," Dipke said [2].
Despite the demands, authorities moved to clear the site. A Delhi Police spokesperson said the protest had exceeded the permitted time and must be cleared [1]. While police denied requests for an extension, some demonstrators continued to gather under mobile-phone lights as the evening progressed [1].
The movement has attracted support from other activists seeking broader institutional reform. Sonam Wangchuk said that change needs to be in all systems, not only in exams or education [5].
Security forces remained deployed at the site to ensure the area was cleared following the police order [4]. The Cockroach Janta Party has positioned itself as a voice for students affected by the leak, arguing that the current leadership cannot ensure a fair testing process [2].
“"We won't leave until Pradhan resigns."”
The confrontation at Jantar Mantar reflects a deepening crisis of confidence in India's centralized examination system. By targeting the Union Education Minister, the Cockroach Janta Party is attempting to shift the accountability for paper leaks from administrative bodies to political leadership, signaling that students and activists now view these irregularities as political failures rather than mere technical glitches.
