Pune: Hundreds Join Cockroach Janta Party’s Protest March at SPPU, Seek Education Minister’s Resignation Over Exam Paper Leaks

Pune, 11th June 2026: Hundreds of students, parents, activists and competitive examination aspirants participated in a protest march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities and question paper leaks in national-level examinations, including NEET and CBSE tests.

Among those who attended the demonstration were CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, advocate Asim Sarode and senior thinker Vishwambhar Chaudhary. The protest, held near the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar inside the university campus, drew participants from Pune and neighbouring districts, with organisers claiming that the movement would be expanded to other cities across the country.

Addressing the gathering, Dipke said repeated examination paper leak incidents had affected the future of more than one crore students across the country and called upon Dharmendra Pradhan to accept moral responsibility and resign. He alleged that instead of addressing concerns raised by students, governments often attempt to discredit protest movements. “We achieved independence through movements and democracy survives because people continue to raise their voices. Rather than branding young people as fake or politically motivated, the government should listen to them,” he said.

The protest was organised around what the party described as the need for greater transparency and accountability in the country’s examination system. Dipke also unveiled the party’s education manifesto, which seeks measures to prevent question paper leaks, ensure timely declaration of results, improve transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations, and strengthen accountability among examination authorities.

Wangchuk expressed solidarity with students affected by examination irregularities, while Chaudhary said the movement drew inspiration from the non-violent traditions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar. “If democracy is to be strengthened, citizens must continue to participate in peaceful public movements,” he said.

Sarode criticised the government’s response to examination-related controversies, arguing that students often bear the consequences of administrative failures. He called for greater sensitivity and accountability from authorities handling public examinations.

During the protest, participants highlighted issues ranging from alleged corruption in the examination system to delays in recruitment processes and result declarations. Dipke also questioned the handling of examination reforms and demanded compensation for students affected by paper leaks, postponements and cancellations. Among the demands raised were financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to students affected by paper leaks, reimbursement of expenses incurred due to postponed examinations, and monthly financial support until fresh examination dates are announced.

The CJP announced that the Pune protest marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign and said similar demonstrations would be organised in cities including Jaipur, Lucknow, Amritsar and Bengaluru. The party also warned of an indefinite sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar from June 20 if its demand for the Education Minister’s resignation is not met.

Police personnel were deployed in large numbers around the university campus as a precautionary measure.