The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday released a video expressing gratitude to supporters across India for backing the 37-day agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The protest culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and significant government concessions.
Protest Culminates in Minister's Resignation
The 37-day-long agitation, which included a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, ended on Saturday after Union Ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh held talks with the CJP. The government accepted several key demands, including suitable compensation for families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide and the withdrawal of FIRs lodged against protesters across the country. Additionally, the government agreed to examine the CJP's five-point charter on examination reforms, with the next round of talks scheduled in four weeks.
Dipke Expresses Gratitude and Apologizes for Health
In the video shared on X, Dipke thanked supporters for their trust and love, stating that without them, the victory would not have been possible. He said, "All the people who supported us, who showed trust in us, and who loved us when everybody was doubting us—I really want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart." He also apologized for not meeting protesters still at Jantar Mantar after the protest was called off, citing a health condition: "I have typhoid and I had developed a very high fever—my temperature had reached 101."
Criticism Strengthened the Movement
Dipke acknowledged that criticism and questions from detractors helped improve the movement. "If you hadn't criticised us, if you hadn't questioned us, we perhaps wouldn't have had the chance to improve ourselves," he said. "It's because of your criticism, it's because of your legitimate questions, that we were able to improve ourselves, and I think that's why we were able to deliver as well."
Government Agrees to Key Demands
The protest gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined with a 26-day hunger strike. Following the government's assurances, Wangchuk congratulated the youth, calling the outcome a victory for democracy. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das emphasized the movement's future, stating, "This is just a trailer. The picture is still to come. The youth of the country have awakened. The youth of the country will solve all the problems in this country."
Movement Vows to Continue
Dipke reiterated that the end of the agitation marks only the beginning for the CJP. "As I said, and as I have been saying since day one: this is just a beginning. The Cockroach Janta Party has a long way to go, and for sure, we will go a long way," he said. The CJP plans to continue campaigning for examination reforms and issues affecting the youth, with Das adding that the movement will address broader educational and governance challenges.
