CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said no minister could be placed above the future of millions of students, urging the Prime Minister to act immediately against Pradhan.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 23: Escalating its confrontation with the Centre over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Thursday warned that its campaign would no longer be limited to seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and could extend to demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation if the minister continues in office.
CJP founder and president Abhijeet Dipke said the Prime Minister must act immediately against the Education Minister, arguing that protecting an “incompetent and failed minister” would amount to ignoring the concerns of millions of students across the country.
“Modi ji, I once again request you to accept Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Otherwise, the issue will not remain limited to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation alone; it will become a demand for your resignation as well,” Dipke said while addressing protesters.
He further alleged that the government was placing the political future of one minister above the aspirations of India’s youth.
“An incompetent and failed minister cannot be more important than crores of students. If the government believes one failed minister is more important than the future of millions of young people, the country will remember this,” he said.
Movement Intensifies
Dipke’s remarks come as the CJP-led agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar entered its fourth week, with students continuing their sit-in despite heavy police deployment and security restrictions across central Delhi.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, criminal action against those responsible for the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, reforms to India’s examination system, compensation for families of students who allegedly died by suicide following examination controversies, and withdrawal of criminal cases registered against peaceful protesters.
The agitation gained national attention after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest with an indefinite hunger strike, while clashes between demonstrators and Delhi Police during a “Chalo Parliament” march earlier this week further intensified public scrutiny.
READ: `Save Democracy’: SC Lawyers Stand With Student Protesters
Pressure Mounts on Government
The CJP’s warning comes even as the political confrontation over the paper leak controversy has intensified inside and outside Parliament.
Opposition parties, led by the Congress, have repeatedly demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, disrupting parliamentary proceedings and accusing the government of failing to protect the integrity of India’s examination system.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre would establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in examination paper leak cases, describing such leaks as an attack on the future of India’s youth and promising stringent punishment for those responsible.
The government has, however, rejected demands for Pradhan’s resignation.
The Education Minister has maintained that the Centre is committed to eliminating the “paper leak mafia” and has accused the Opposition of exploiting students’ concerns for political gain. BJP leaders have also alleged that the CJP protests are receiving political backing from opposition parties, a charge denied by the organisation.
Youth Movement Expands
Founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications professional associated with Boston University, the Cockroach Janta Party emerged after controversial remarks likening unemployed youth to “cockroaches.” What began as an online satirical campaign has evolved into a nationwide youth movement focused on examination reforms, unemployment and educational accountability.
Over the past month, the protests have spread beyond Delhi to several cities, drawing support from students, lawyers, civil society groups and a growing number of film personalities.
Political observers say the movement has tapped into widespread frustration over repeated examination irregularities, unemployment and recruitment delays, transforming the alleged NEET paper leak into a broader debate on governance and opportunities for young Indians.
With the CJP now raising the political stakes by linking the issue directly to the Prime Minister’s leadership, the standoff between the protesters and the government appears set to intensify in the coming days.
