Bengaluru: Students, parents and activists gathered at Freedom Park on Sunday demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy, alleging repeated failures in the country's examination system.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janatha Party (CJP), also saw participants raise concerns over privatisation, corruption and environmental issues. Demonstrators accused the Centre of failing to address examination irregularities that they said had affected lakhs of students across the country.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said around 24 lakh students had been impacted by examination-related irregularities and questioned the government's response to repeated paper leak allegations. "Students seeking justice are treated like pests, and that cannot be accepted. Dharmendra Pradhan accepted moral responsibility and promised reforms two years back, but another paper leak has taken place. Is this what the students deserve?" Das said.
Actor Prakash Raj said young people were refusing to remain silent despite being labelled in various ways for questioning those in power. "If the government has any shame, the education minister should resign. This generation is not interested in mandir-masjid politics but in asking questions about corruption and the future of students," he said.
The protest also coincided with the birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Che Guevara, with participants invoking the slogan "Educate, Agitate, Organise" while calling for reforms in the education system.
CJP founder Abhijit said, "Systemic failures have shattered the dreams of students who wanted to become doctors and professionals. Those who raise their voices are branded as cockroaches, but we are fighting for ordinary students and for justice."
Education reformer Sonam Wangchuk said the paper leak issue pointed to deeper structural problems within the education system. "The paper leak is only a symptom of a much deeper crisis in our education system. Fixing exams alone will not solve the problem if the system itself remains flawed. We need accountability, fair governance and an education system built on integrity rather than fear," Wangchuk said.
Abhijit also called for a nationwide mobilisation in Delhi on June 20, saying the movement would continue until accountability was ensured and reforms were implemented.
