CJP Protest: From Abhijit Dipke's Return To India To Violent Protests, What Happened In NEET paper Leak Agitation So Far

The country's most prestigious medical entrance exam, NEET-UG, was marred by a paper leak this year, triggering massive unrest and protests across the country. The resentment reached its pinnacle on Monday when thousands of protestors, including students, marched towards parliament seeking accountability from the government and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

At the helm of the march was Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical social media sensation, founded by Abhijit Dipke. However, the issue has been a focal point in the political battleground between the ruling NDA government and the entire Opposition, especially the Rahul Gandhi-led Congress.

From Delhi to Bihar and Maharashtra among other states, the outcry from youth taking to the streets over the NEET exam controversy has sent political tensions across the country into overdrive.

Dipke's return from America and beginning of movement

Following the paper leaks in the NEET-UG exam, Dipke formed the CJP, an Instagram page that got a huge response online.

With an intent to take the fight against paper leaks from social media to the streets, Dipke returned to India from the US on June 6, 2026.

On the day he returned, a major protest was organised at Jantar Mantar, which saw participation from several student organisations, including AISA and the SFI, which have been at the centre of a debate over their stance on key issues of national interest.

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Pradhan Go Back Campaign and Central Demands

The protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and transparent reforms to the examination system. On June 30, the CJP launched a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign, mobilising students from social media to the grassroots.

Sonam Wangchuk's advent blew new life to protest

However, the social media response failed to materialise on the ground under Dipke. His campaign gained limited traction till June 28, when climate activist and educationist from Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, became an active part of the campaign and sat on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

The protest was turned into a mass movement after Wangchuk's arrival, a goal CJP aspired to achieve. Wangchuk announced an indefinite hunger strike demanding reforms to the education system and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.

Despite being the much-talked-about news, the hunger strike remained limited to being just another major development in the country till mid-July.

After July 16, Wangchuk's fast and his ailing health drew strong support from the masses, making his hunger strike the biggest headline. The matter reached the Delhi High Court, on whose order, the Delhi Police forcibly removed Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar on the morning of July 18.

He was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital, which itself sparked a new fight between the administration and his wife Gitanjali Angmo.

Angmo sought to transfer Wangchuk to Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, a demand she raised in a plea in the Delhi High Court. On the other hand, the CJP and Dipke alleged that the police had unconstitutionally arrested Wangchuk and attempted to suppress the movement, leading to widespread uproar.

Dipke's short hunger strike and 'Sansad Chalo' march

On July 18, Dipke also began an indefinite hunger strike to protest Wangchuk's forced hospitalisation. However, on July 20, Dipke ended his fast at the request of Wangchuk and Angmo.

July 20 proved to be the most crucial day for the protest as CJP had called a 'Sansad Chalo' march. The Delhi Police clarified that no permission was sought and provided for such a march and that action would be taken against the participants as prohibition under BNSS Section 163 would remain in place for the monsoon session.

The protesters remained adamant and carried out a march. Fierce clashes broke out between protesters and police forces.

Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd near Shastri Bhavan and detained several leaders. Entry gates to several metro stations were closed, and heavy security forces were deployed in the area.

Despite clashes and police action, the protesters remained at Jantar Mantar throughout the night. Dipke and his supporters reoccupied the main Jantar Mantar site after their tent was dismantled.

Protest spreads across country

However, now that the protests appear to be spreading across the country, Bihar, Telangana, Kerala, Assam and Maharashtra among other states have seen major agitations against the paper leak. Major scuffles were seen in Patna and Mumbai during protests. 

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Status of dialogue

The central government has appealed to the protesters for dialogue. The government has offered talks with the protesters four times in the past 24 hours. Health Minister JP Nadda has appealed to the protesters to end the sit-in, while urging the Opposition, also in protest mode, to discuss the issue in Parliament for as long as it suits them.

However, a deadlock remains over the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. On Wednesday, both Congress and Dipke confirmed that Pradhan's resignation is the first term. While Congress said that it would not let the Houses function unless Pradhan resigns, Dipke has reiterated a similar demand to end the protest.