The MEA clarification came after several BJP leaders raised questions over the alleged foreign funding of the protests and sought investigations.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said it has no information to suggest that the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protests over alleged examination paper leaks are being funded or directed by foreign entities, effectively distancing the government from allegations made by several BJP leaders and widely circulated on social media.
Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ministry had no information indicating that external forces were backing the student-led agitation, which has gained national attention over demands for examination reforms, accountability in the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The clarification comes after a series of allegations by senior BJP leaders claiming that the movement was being orchestrated or financed from abroad.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had questioned the source of funding for the protests, alleging on social media that foreign forces were attempting to destabilise India by exploiting student unrest. Union Minister Giriraj Singh also alleged that the agitation bore the characteristics of an externally influenced campaign and urged agencies to investigate its funding. BJP leaders Mahesh Chand Sharma (popularly known as Chanduliya) and Brij Lal similarly raised suspicions over alleged foreign financial support and demanded a thorough probe into the origins of the movement.
Some pro-government commentators and social media users also claimed that anonymous donations, international support campaigns and food deliveries to protesters indicated foreign coordination behind the agitation.
However, the MEA declined to endorse those claims.
Asked specifically about allegations of foreign funding, Jaiswal said the ministry had no information to substantiate such assertions.
The spokesperson also addressed reports of large quantities of food being delivered to protesters gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and during the recent “Chalo Sansad” march. Videos showing bulk deliveries through food delivery platforms had fuelled speculation that overseas supporters were financing the movement.
Jaiswal said the government had no specific information regarding who was placing the orders.
“There are millions of Indians living abroad, including in Dubai and other countries. We have no information on who is sending these food deliveries,” he said.
The CJP, a youth-led protest platform, has been spearheading demonstrations against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. The movement has demanded sweeping reforms in the examination system, compensation for affected students’ families, accountability of the National Testing Agency, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
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The protests have attracted thousands of students from across the country and received support from public figures, including former bureaucrats, activists and celebrities. They have also generated intense political debate, with the Opposition accusing the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of public examinations while the ruling BJP has questioned the motivations behind the movement.
The issue gained further prominence after anonymous supporters repeatedly sent food and essential supplies to protesters through online delivery platforms. Organisers later appealed to supporters to stop sending additional food, saying the protest site had received more supplies than could be distributed.
The MEA’s remarks are significant because they represent the Union government’s official position on allegations that the protests were foreign-sponsored. While several BJP leaders have publicly alleged external involvement and called for investigations, the ministry said it has no information supporting claims that the CJP protests are funded, directed or orchestrated by foreign governments, organisations or individuals.
The clarification is likely to intensify the political debate surrounding the protests, which remain centred on domestic issues of examination integrity, recruitment reforms and educational accountability.
