Abhijit Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), found his request for an extension to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar rejected by Delhi Police on Saturday. Authorities stated that permission for the demonstration was granted solely until 5 pm. Despite this, Dipke refused to vacate the site, insisting he would remain until the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was achieved.

In a rally attended by students and supporters, Dipke voiced concerns over alleged exam irregularities and called for increased government accountability. He indicated that dialogue with the authorities must take place but maintained that the only condition for any discussion was Pradhan’s resignation.

“I appeal to the authorities to allow us to continue our peaceful protest, as students from different parts of the country have gathered here seeking justice,” he stated. Dipke’s insistence on remaining at the protest site included a call for the police to negotiate with central government officials.

Protest Intensifies Amid Police Crackdown

Following Dipke’s address, which encouraged participants to remain assembled, Delhi Police reiterated that the protest must conclude by 5 pm. They initiated an evacuation process to clear the site without using any force at that time. Most attendees complied, departing the venue, but Dipke and several leaders from the All India Students’ Association (AISA) chose to remain on stage.

The protest commenced earlier in the day, coinciding with significant police presence. Students chanted slogans and held signs demanding transparency in examinations and accountability from government officials regarding alleged lapses.

Supporters responded to Dipke’s call for symbolic protest by bringing utensils, which were used to make noise during the demonstration. A prominent chant among the protesters was for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, which underscored their demands for reform in examination protocols.

Vocal Support for Student Grievances

Upon his arrival at the protest, Dipke was greeted with enthusiasm. He asserted that the movement focused on resolving current issues faced by students. A participant from the public policy sector highlighted the significance of the protest, noting its organic emergence through social media rather than traditional political methods.

Some attendees expressed uncertainty about the future direction of their movement but underscored the importance of collective engagement. They believed the outpouring of frustration was a necessary response to perceived injustices.

Protesters donned cockroach masks and held various placards, with slogans such as “If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud”. This artistic expression aimed not only to capture attention but also to reinforce their message against the Education Minister.

Among the attendees was Delhi High Court advocate Dilshad Choudhary, who remarked that ongoing allegations of examination-related misconduct had sparked widespread public outrage. He noted that the education system had long been beset by challenges but that the recent claims about paper leaks had catalysed mobilisations.

As the protest unfolded, a Class 12 graduate preparing for the NEET examination articulated that participants did not expect immediate outcomes but felt it critical to voice their concerns. “Not all struggles are meant to be victorious; some are simply about making sure our presence is felt,” the aspirant remarked.

Before the protest took place, Dipke had penned an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking accountability from the government regarding the issues faced by students, demanding both responsibility and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged irregularities in examinations.

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