Day Three of the CJP’s Delhi Sit‑In: Tensions Rise as NEET Leak Sparks Nationwide Outcry

New Delhi was awash with a familiar buzz of sirens, police vans and a sea of placards as the third day of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest unfolded at Jantar Mantar. If you were walking past Parliament House this afternoon, you would have noticed fresh barricades looping around the historic precinct, a visual reminder that the city’s nerves are indeed being tested.

What started as a sit‑in over a alleged NEET paper leak has ballooned into a full‑blown demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters argue that the Ministry failed to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s most crucial medical‑admissions test, and that the leak hints at deeper rot within the examination system.

Among the crowd, one figure has drawn particular media attention – activist Sonam Wangchuk. The young scholar, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 25 days, announced he would end his fast if the government gave a written assurance that no student or youth activist would face punitive action for taking part in the movement. “We just want a fair, accountable education system,” he said, pausing to sip water before adding, “and we need protection from legal harassment.” His words echoed through the chanting crowd, prompting spontaneous applause and, candidly, a few sighs of relief.

Security forces remain on high alert. The Delhi Police have logged several First Information Reports (FIRs) linked to the July 20 march toward Parliament, and the Delhi High Court has already asked the Centre and the police to preserve CCTV footage, body‑cam recordings and any other digital evidence. The court’s order, dated just hours ago, is a clear sign that the judiciary is keeping a watchful eye on how the protest is being handled.

Opposition leaders have not been shy either. Congress stalwart P. Chidambaram publicly called for Pradhan’s resignation, describing it as “an honourable step to defuse tensions.” Across town, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal warned the centre against using force on student protesters, insisting that any crackdown would only fuel further unrest.

Even the wrestling mat made an appearance. Bajrang Punia, a celebrated Indian wrestler, joined the ranks of demonstrators, demanding the same – an immediate resignation of the education minister and an end to what he termed “police brutality.” His presence, captured in a short video that went viral on social media, added a new layer of solidarity to the protest.

Meanwhile, the so‑called “NEET row” has spiraled beyond Delhi. In Bengaluru, Congress workers staged a sit‑in outside the BJP state office, chanting slogans and holding placards that read “Resign Pradhan – Restore Trust.” In Mumbai, police registered cases against a handful of citizens who were seen distributing flyers in support of the CJP’s cause.

The political theatre extended to Parliament itself on Wednesday, where the NEET leak controversy sparked a heated debate. While the government insisted it was ready for a “detailed discussion,” opposition MPs accused the ruling party of deliberately disrupting proceedings to avoid accountability.

As the sun set, the crowd at Jantar Mantar remained restless but resolute. Some protesters improvised makeshift stages, delivering speeches that ranged from heartfelt pleas for educational reform to sharp critiques of the current administration’s handling of the leak.

One recurring chant reverberated through the encampment: “No more paper leaks, no more lies – give us truth, give us rights!” The chant, though simple, summed up the frustration felt by thousands of students, parents and activists who see the leak not just as a bureaucratic slip‑up, but as a symptom of a larger failure to protect meritocracy.

Looking ahead, the CJP has signalled it is willing to sit down for talks – but only if they happen at a neutral venue, preferably near Jantar Mantar, rather than inside ministerial offices. The party’s stance is clear: symbolic meetings are not enough; they want concrete assurances and, ultimately, a change in leadership.

Whether the protest will achieve its lofty goals remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the combination of heightened security, political posturing, and a determined group of young activists has turned a single paper‑leak controversy into a national conversation about the future of India’s education system.