CJP protest enters second month as SC declines urgent hearing, Opposition backs students

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continued its sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Wednesday as its protest over alleged examination irregularities entered its second month, with more supporters arriving overnight even as the Supreme Court declined to urgently hear a plea against police action during Monday’s protest march and Opposition parties stepped up pressure on the government.

More protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday night, while volunteers received food and other supplies from sympathisers despite heavy security deployment following Monday’s police crackdown on the CJP’s “Sansad Chalo” march.

In a post on X on Wednesday morning, the CJP claimed that “thousands and thousands of protesters are at Jantar Mantar this morning” and renewed its demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.

Jantar Mantar has united India like never before. pic.twitter.com/qC1aO9I2HG

— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) July 21, 2026

“Why does the Pradhan Mantri (prime minister) love the Mantri Pradhan (Minister Pradhan) more than India’s youth?” the post read.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protest would continue until Pradhan stepped down.

After Parliament march clashes, CJP stays put as PM Modi promises action on NEET leak

“We will not leave this spot until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. July 20 was a milestone moment in India’s political history, especially in post-Independence India. The youth won’t stay quiet anymore,” he said.

Late on Tuesday night, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke clarified that the movement had not called for people to assemble anywhere except Jantar Mantar.

“Cockroach Janta Party has not given a call to assemble anywhere but at Jantar Mantar, where our peaceful protest is on,” Dipke said, alleging that the group had received reports that “some goons” may have been sent to other parts of Delhi to create disturbances.

“They are not with CJP,” he said.

The agitation began on June 20, demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities, reforms in the education system and the resignation of Pradhan.

AAP Chief @arvindkejriwal visited the injured youth protesters who have returned to Jantar Mantar today in spite of their injuries to show their resolve against this cruel government.

Thank you for supporting the youth in these difficult times. pic.twitter.com/bj0fhGzNyX

— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) July 21, 2026

Activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the protest on June 28 and has been on an indefinite hunger strike since then, has continued his fast from Medanta Hospital after being shifted there from Safdarjung Hospital following a Delhi High Court order.

Wangchuk has said he will continue the fast until accountability is fixed in the education system or political leaders assure him that the issue will be taken up in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a request for urgent listing of a petition challenging the police action against students during Monday’s CJP-led protest march in Delhi.

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

“I have the videos as well regarding police brutality… If it can be listed tomorrow (Thursday)… students are there,” the lawyer said.

The counsel alleged that students had been subjected to police brutality and said the petition contained three prayers.

The CJI declined the request, saying the bench was not inclined to examine video footage at the mentioning stage.

“We are not interested in videos, we don’t have time to watch… We don’t want to watch videos,” the CJI said.

When the lawyer again referred to video evidence, the CJI responded, “Don’t waste our time. We don’t want to watch any videos.”

The plea relates to the police action during the CJP’s march to Parliament on Monday, the opening day of the Monsoon session, when thousands of students and young protesters gathered in central Delhi demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged examination irregularities. The march witnessed clashes between protesters and security personnel, who used lathis and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to move towards Parliament.

मोदी जी, हर ज़ोर आज़मा लो, सारी ताकत लगा लो – छात्रों के इंसाफ की ये लड़ाई अब रोके न रुकेगी। pic.twitter.com/suXh8LkWzh

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 21, 2026

The protests also received political backing on Wednesday as leaders of several Opposition parties, dressed in black, demonstrated outside Parliament in support of students protesting over the NEET paper leak issue. They demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the police action against protesters.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the protest, along with MPs from the Congress, SP, Left parties, RJD, TMC, JMM and other parties. Earlier in the day, leaders of the Opposition INDIA Bloc held a strategy meeting in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

Amid mounting pressure, Pradhan said the government remained committed to addressing students’ concerns and carrying out examination reforms.

“Our government remains 100% committed to discussing NEET and addressing every genuine concern of our youth on the floor of the house,” Pradhan said in a post on X late on Tuesday.

LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia chose to stage a dharna outside the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s residence , causing…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 21, 2026

“The students of India deserve far better than being treated as props in a political campaign,” he said.

“We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” he added.

His remarks came after prime minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that those responsible for the exam leaks would be punished and called for a foolproof examination system. Separately, Health Minister J.P. Nadda held talks with CJP leaders on Monday for the first time and assured them the government would consider their demands.

Rahul Gandhi, who was detained during Tuesday’s protest before being released later that night, called for a debate in Parliament and urged the government to reform the examination system.

“Why is the Indian education system collapsing? Why are papers leaking? Why is education so expensive in India? Why do families have to destroy themselves financially to educate their children?” Gandhi said in a video message recorded while he was in detention.

“These are legitimate questions. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with asking these questions.”

(With inputs from agencies)