Dharmendra Pradhan faces demands for resignation as youth-led Cockroach Janta Party movement grows across India
Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Education Minister, faces mounting pressure to resign following a massive youth-led protest movement sparked by repeated examination paper leaks. The movement, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, was triggered by the leak of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper, which affected over 2.2 million students. The protests have gained significant momentum, transitioning from an online satirical response to a large-scale street mobilization. While prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk recently ended a 26-day hunger strike after receiving government assurances, the core demand for Pradhan’s resignation remains. The administration announced a plan to introduce a Bill for stringent action against paper leaks and established fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for exam fraud. Despite the government's efforts to address the crisis, rioters have continued to gather at sites like Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The movement has transcended simple student grievances, becoming a broader symbol of democratic accountability and frustration over the state's ability to guarantee fairness in the education system.