New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised a large-scale demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday to protest against ongoing examination irregularities and frequent paper leaks. Under the leadership of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, students and supporters from various parts of India gathered to demand the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation quickly turned into a tense standoff with the Delhi Police after authorities refused to extend the protest permission past the scheduled timeline, prompting demonstrators to defy dispersal orders.
Security was tightened considerably around the venue, with approximately 350 Delhi Police personnel deployed and multiple layers of barricades set up on adjoining roads. To manage the crowd and maintain order, CJP volunteers operated as marshals at entry checkpoints, verifying the identification cards of all attendees and media representatives. Despite the intense summer heat, the administration arranged a water tanker and distributed water bottles, while temporary shelters and a dedicated deployment of women police officers ensured the well-being and security of the participants.
The demonstration gained further momentum with the participation of prominent Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, who declared that he would commence an indefinite hunger strike on June 27 if the central government failed to take responsibility and address the systemic flaws in the education sector. As night fell and authorities cut off the power supply to the area, protesters continued their sit-in using mobile phone flashlights. CJP leaders strongly criticised the restrictions, alleging that police barricades were blocking essential food and water supplies from entering the venue, and vowed to sustain the peaceful agitation until their demands are met.
