Cockroach Janta Party Leads Delhi Protest at Jantar Mantar Demanding Education Minister’s Resignation

Gen Z-led movement, joined by activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenges government accountability over NEET and CBSE examination irregularities.

The national capital is bracing for a fresh wave of agitation as the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepares to stage a major protest at Jantar Mantar today. Led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, the party has made the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan its primary demand, citing systemic failures in the nation’s examination infrastructure. The protest comes amid simmering public anger over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and widespread concerns regarding the integrity of the CBSE’s on-screen marking (OSM) system used for Class 12 board evaluations.

Navigating Legal Hurdles

While the CJP has publicly emphasized its intent to follow legal protocols, the situation regarding formal authorization remains fluid. Spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Varun Das stated in a social media release that the party intends to seek full cooperation from the police and adhere to all legal boundaries. However, reports from authorities suggest a discrepancy, with Delhi Police indicating that no official permission for a gathering at Jantar Mantar had been granted as of the morning of the event. The party has defended its delayed filing, citing a blend of “strategy and emotion” as they pivot away from earlier plans to demonstrate at the airport, opting instead for a more centralized location.

A Broadening Coalition

The movement has gained significant momentum through the participation of high-profile voices. Notably, Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to join the CJP members on the ground. Wangchuk, who recently spent six months in detention following his advocacy for regional autonomy, has been a vocal critic of the current administrative handling of student futures. In a public declaration on X, he questioned the silence of the establishment, asserting that any self-respecting minister should step down when the academic prospects of millions of Indian youth are compromised.

The Core Grievance

The discourse surrounding this protest extends beyond single incidents, framing the NEET and CBSE controversies as symptomatic of a deeper crisis in the education sector. The CJP, a nascent political entity, has positioned itself as a watchdog for students who feel betrayed by the current examination oversight mechanisms. By targeting the Ministry of Education directly, the party is attempting to hold the government accountable for the alleged lapses in re-evaluation processes and the broader security failures that have recently plagued high-stakes national assessments.

Why This Matters

For many observers, this protest signals a shift in how younger generations are engaging with national policy. The move from digital activism to physical mobilization at Jantar Mantar underscores a growing impatience with institutional responses to academic integrity. As the day unfolds, the intersection of political strategy, student grievances, and the presence of established activists like Wangchuk will likely make this one of the most closely watched public demonstrations in recent weeks. The outcome of today’s assembly will test both the resilience of this new political movement and the government’s willingness to address the deepening trust deficit in the education department.