Bengaluru: Actor Prakash Raj is set to participate in a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Sunday as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) intensifies its campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.
The protest forms part of a nationwide movement led by students and activists seeking accountability over alleged lapses in the conduct of major examinations and demanding reforms in the education system.
Prakash Raj backs student-led campaign
A vocal critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prakash Raj had earlier expressed support for the movement but was unable to attend its inaugural protest in New Delhi due to prior commitments.
The actor confirmed his participation through a post on social media platform X, urging citizens to join the peaceful demonstration and raise their voices on issues affecting students and educational institutions.
The Cockroach Janta Party also welcomed his participation, describing it as a significant boost to the campaign and its efforts to mobilise public support across the country.
Demand for accountability in examination system
The organisation has been conducting protests in various cities, alleging irregularities in national-level examinations and demanding accountability from authorities responsible for conducting them.
The movement has focused particularly on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and other examination-related controversies. Protesters argue that recurring incidents have undermined the confidence of students and parents in the examination system.
The group continues to demand the resignation of the Union Education Minister, holding him politically accountable for what it describes as failures in safeguarding the integrity of competitive examinations.
Nationwide protests gather momentum
The Bengaluru demonstration follows a series of protests organised by the group in different parts of the country.
The campaign began with a large gathering at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 6. Subsequent demonstrations were held in Pune on June 11, Lucknow on June 12 and Amritsar on June 13.
Organisers claim that participation has steadily increased with each event, attracting students, parents, activists and members of civil society concerned about educational reforms and examination transparency.
The movement has also used symbolic elements such as cockroach masks and flowers during demonstrations to draw public attention to its campaign.
Hyderabad protest also planned
Alongside the Bengaluru event, the organisation is scheduled to hold another protest in Hyderabad on Sunday.
According to organisers, activist Sonam Wangchuk is expected to address participants at the Hyderabad gathering and share his views on educational reforms and student concerns.
The simultaneous protests are part of a broader strategy to expand the movement’s reach and maintain public attention on examination-related issues.
Call for larger mobilisation in Delhi
Speaking at the Amritsar protest, movement leader Dipke called on supporters from across the country to assemble in Delhi on June 20 for a larger demonstration.
He said the campaign would continue until its demands were addressed and urged students not to be discouraged by the prospect of arrests or legal action.
According to him, the movement seeks justice for NEET and CBSE students while pressing for greater accountability over recurring paper leak incidents and examination controversies.
At earlier protests, organisers repeatedly emphasised that demonstrations should remain peaceful and focused on democratic engagement.
Students and parents join movement
The campaign has attracted participation from a broad spectrum of supporters, including students preparing for competitive examinations and parents concerned about the credibility of the education system.
During the initial protest in Delhi, hundreds of participants attended the gathering. Organisers said many school students and their parents joined the demonstration to express concern over examination integrity and future opportunities for young aspirants.
The movement’s leaders argue that ensuring fairness and transparency in examinations is essential for protecting the interests of millions of students across the country.
Conclusion
With actor Prakash Raj joining the Bengaluru protest, organisers hope to draw greater attention to their demands regarding alleged examination irregularities and accountability in the education sector. As protests continue across multiple cities, the movement is seeking broader public support ahead of its planned mass mobilisation in Delhi later this month.