‘Won’t leave until Pradhan resigns’: CJP founder Dipke seeks permission to extend protest

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijit Dipke on Saturday, June 20, 2026, said that he will not leave Jantar Mantar until the Education Minister resigns and requested the Delhi Police to allow the protest to continue.

He was addressing a large number of students and supporters demonstrating at the second protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in New Delhi, alleging exam irregularities, repeated paper leaks and demands for accountability from the government.

Mr. Dipke said, “I request the authorities as young people from all over the country are here. They want to sit here until justice is done. (I) Request the Delhi Police to extend our permission. The protest was peaceful; we are innocent students who just want to sit here.” The youth leader also said that the dialogue channel is open but “the only condition is that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns”.

He also requested the Delhi Police to “initiate a dialogue with the Centre” and said, “If there are arrests, I will be the first to make one.” Mr Dipke also appealed to fans to join the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar at 6pm, expressing confidence that the police would grant permission for an extension.

The protest began amid heavy police deployment earlier in the day, with students chanting slogans and carrying banners demanding a response from the government over allegations of ensuring transparent exams and protecting the interests of candidates.

Supporters answer Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke’s call “thali and chammach” (plates and spoons), he uses them as symbols of protest and hits them during the demonstration. Slogans of “Dharmendra Pradhan must resign” echoed in the venue as the protesters reiterated their demands for accountability on issues related to exam management.

Mr. Dipke, who came to the protest area under the intense cheers of the crowd, said that they wanted to solve the problems faced by the students. “We are here to solve the problems of today’s students,” he said.

A young public policy major who wished to remain anonymous said it was important to attend the demonstration: “No one knows exactly where this will lead. The movement started on social media rather than organized chambers. It was organic and refreshing, so people connected with it.”

Reflecting this sentiment, many participants acknowledged uncertainty regarding the future direction of the movement. But they said they felt compelled to participate because some form of collective mobilization had become necessary.

During the protests, supporters wore cockroach masks and carried banners, some of which read “The sound must be very loud if the deaf are to hear” and “Dismiss the Union Minister of Education”.

Among those present was Delhi High Court lawyer Dilshad Choudhary, who said the repeated paper leak controversy had become a turning point for public anger.

“The education system has been facing challenges for years, but repeated paper leaks have been the trigger,” Mr. Choudhary said. “It’s important that we support the people who are providing the platform for these protests. We need change.” A class 12 graduate who is preparing for NEET said that the participants did not expect immediate results but believed it was important to make their voices heard.

“Not all wars are fought to be won; some are fought to let everyone know there is someone out there,” the candidate said. “The people gathered here are not here for political reasons. These are angry people who want answers,” he added.

Ahead of the protest, Mr Dipke had written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding accountability for the concerns raised by students. While the letter refers to determination of responsibility, CJP also demands the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the handling of exam-related issues.

The demonstration on June 20 followed CJP’s earlier protest at Jantar Mantar, where the youth-led group expressed concern over paper leaks, exam irregularities and delays affecting students and job aspirants.