Overview
- Hundreds of students and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday to press for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged NEET paper leaks and exam irregularities.
- CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke sent an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking Rs 1 crore in compensation for families of students the group says died by suicide, a claim reported by the movement but not independently verified.
- Delhi Police granted time-bound permission for the protest and deployed heavy measures including CCTV, multiple barricade layers, around 270 body-worn cameras and reserve forces, then refused Dipke’s request to extend the sit-in beyond the allotted hours citing a court order.
- A section of protesters remained past the permitted time despite police announcements that continuation was illegal, with organisers alleging temporary restrictions on lights and water that were later restored and police warning of possible legal action.
- The fast-moving, internet-born Cockroach Janta Party has turned symbolic utensil-banging into a nationwide rallying tactic, and activists including Sonam Wangchuk have said they will escalate pressure with a planned hunger strike if the minister does not step down.