Rapper Hanumankind Joins NEET Protest at Jantar Mantar, Backs Students' Demand for Minister's Resignation
New Delhi: Sooraj Cherukat, known internationally as rapper Hanumankind, participated in a protest at Jantar Mantar on Monday, joining students and civil society groups demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy and alleged irregularities in higher education. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), aimed to march to Parliament but was dispersed by police using batons and tear gas.
Hanumankind, who has performed at global venues like Coachella and Nassau Coliseum, wore a blue India cricket jersey, a black mask, and a hat. He initially blended into the crowd but was soon recognised by protesters, with videos showing him interacting with them. On Instagram, he posted footage of the police action, writing, “There’s no justification for this kind of force being used against the people that showed up today. Believing we deserve better is not a crime.” He also reposted a message noting two different demonstrations: “One created by the people. One created by the response.”
The 33-year-old rapper from Kerala was joined by other artists, including Garv Taneja (Chaar Diwari), Abhijay Negi (Encore ABJ of Seedhe Maut), Ravi Mishra (RAGA), and Vivek Arora (Karma). Taneja stated in a video that he was there “in support of Sonam Wangchuk and to ask for accountability of the BJP.” Negi shared videos accompanied by lyrics from his song 'Red' that include lines about anti-government sentiment.
Sanchay Wadhva, a 25-year-old rapper and teacher who attended with his students, said Hanumankind’s presence was significant due to his global visibility. “If his showing up can influence even 15-20 more people to join, that is a big thing,” Wadhva told reporters. He added that hip-hop emerged as socially conscious music, serving as a “mirror to society.”
Another rapper, Dominick Messiah, a store manager at a solar panel company, had been visiting the protest site regularly. The previous weekend, he performed his track 'Uthalo ye awaaz tum' at a cypher—a collaborative rap circle—organised at Jantar Mantar. The protest reflects ongoing concerns about transparency in educational examinations and government accountability.
