Bengaluru: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held its first protest in Bengaluru on Sunday as part of a nationwide campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations related to the NEET examination controversy and broader concerns about the country’s education system.
Despite heavy rainfall, around 250 people gathered for the demonstration, raising slogans and expressing concerns over alleged irregularities in the conduct of national-level examinations. Protesters called for accountability and reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the education system.
The event marked the Bengaluru debut of the organisation’s campaign, which seeks to mobilise public opinion on issues affecting students and educational institutions.
Organisers criticise education system
Addressing the gathering, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the Union government and alleged that fear was being used to suppress peaceful dissent and public criticism.
Referring to the examination controversy and reports of student distress linked to competitive examinations, Dipke said the situation had deeply affected young people aspiring to pursue professional careers.
He argued that students deserved a transparent and reliable examination system and urged authorities to address concerns raised by candidates and parents.
Public figures join demonstration
The protest was attended by actor Prakash Raj, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and several activists associated with social and educational causes.
Addressing the gathering, Prakash Raj encouraged young people to continue participating in democratic discussions and to raise their concerns about public issues. He emphasised the importance of accountability and citizen engagement in governance.
His remarks drew applause from participants, many of whom were students and young professionals concerned about the future of the education system.
Call for continued public engagement
Sonam Wangchuk also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of citizen participation and questioning those in positions of power. He argued that democratic institutions function effectively only when people actively engage with public issues and demand transparency.
Wangchuk said educational reforms should remain a priority and urged citizens to continue advocating for improvements in governance and public systems.
The protest remained peaceful throughout, with participants holding placards and expressing their views on examination reforms, student welfare and educational accountability.
Focus on examination reforms
The demonstration reflected growing public discussions around competitive examinations and the need for robust systems to ensure fairness and transparency. Protesters reiterated their demand for accountability regarding the alleged examination-related irregularities and called for measures to strengthen trust in national testing mechanisms.
Organisers stated that similar programmes would be conducted in other cities as part of the party’s broader campaign on education-related issues.
While opinions varied among participants regarding solutions, there was broad agreement on the need for a fair, transparent and student-centric education system that safeguards the interests of aspiring candidates across the country.