Overnight Sit-in at Jantar Mantar: Dipke Demands Resignation Over NEET Leak
New Delhi, June 21, 2026: The protest led by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar entered its second day on Sunday, with supporters continuing their sit-in overnight. The demonstration demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Mr. Dipke urged more people, especially NEET aspirants who have completed their re-examination, to join the agitation. “We are holding the fort but without your support this movement won't be successful,” he said.
The protest continued despite Delhi Police stating that the permission granted for the gathering ended at 5 p.m. on Saturday (June 20). Police asked protesters to vacate the site, warning of legal action for violating permission conditions. Mr. Dipke requested authorities to assign a different protest site, but said they would remain at Jantar Mantar until then.
In social media posts, Mr. Dipke appealed to police not to stop people from joining, emphasising that protesters were only seeking justice for students who died by suicide. He also requested restoration of water supply to public restrooms, claiming it had been cut off since Saturday night. Protesters later said drinking water was restored and lights were switched back on.
The protest began on Saturday afternoon under heavy police deployment, CCTV surveillance, and barricades. Hundreds of supporters, mostly youth, gathered after Mr. Dipke's call to bring “thali and chammach” (plates and spoons), banging them while raising slogans for Mr. Pradhan's resignation.
Mr. Dipke has demanded ₹1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the paper leak and cancellation of the exam. He told protesters he would be the first to court arrest if necessary.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the protest, announced a hunger strike from June 27 if Mr. Pradhan did not resign.
This is the second protest by CJP at Jantar Mantar over repeated paper leaks and demands for government accountability.
