New Delhi- The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) entered the eleventh day of its sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, with the hunger strike of activist Sonam Wangchuk entering its third day amid mounting concerns over his deteriorating health. The protest, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy and systemic examination irregularities, intensified following a fresh paper leak reported in Jaipur's paramedical entrance exam earlier in the day.
Addressing a press conference at the protest site, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke responded sharply to BJP President Nitin Nabin's recent remarks. "We are the anti-virus to a virus named Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP, which is rotting our education system," Dipke stated . The statement came after Nabin had earlier described groups like the CJP as "virus and cockroach parties" that could "hollow out the country".
Dipke accused BJP workers of attempting to disrupt the protest since its inception, alleging that Delhi Police has been complicit in these efforts. "Delhi Police takes no action on them but intimidates our volunteers by visiting their homes. This is clear proof Delhi Police is working with BJP to derail this protest," he said .
Sarcastically praising the BJP's "double engine" government, Dipke pointed to recent paper leaks in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. "It is starting to look like the PM doesn't care about paper leaks. He is involved in more important things- world tours, breaking opposition parties, and giving melody," Dipke remarked.
CJP National Coordinator Ashutosh Ranka appealed to parents and youth to join the protest, emphasising that the movement has transcended the NEET controversy. Citing a fresh paper leak in the paramedical entrance exam in Jaipur that morning, Ranka warned of the systemic nature of the crisis. "Over 150 paper leaks have happened since 2015. This is the time to raise your voice, or tomorrow it could be your paper, your job at risk," he said .
In a direct appeal to parents, Ranka cautioned: "Don't hold your children back from protesting out of bhakti for someone- you will put their future in danger" .
Activist and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan extended his support to the CJP's protest, joining the growing chorus of voices demanding Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Left parties, including CPM and CPI, have also visited the protest site in recent days, with leaders expressing solidarity with the demonstrators.
CJP Spokesperson Deepak Baliyan alleged that student and farmer organisations attempting to reach Jantar Mantar have been placed under house arrest. "If the same pressure and effort were put behind the paper leak mafia, these leaks would have been prevented," Baliyan said . CJP founder Dipke further claimed that heavy police deployment was preventing supporters from entering the protest site, with several core team members being denied access .
Dr. Nitin Dighe, present at the protest site, shared Sonam Wangchuk's morning vitals: blood pressure recorded at 117/60, oxygen saturation at 96%, pulse rate at 92, and blood sugar level at 66 mg/dL — below the normal range . Dr. Satish Lamba, who examined Wangchuk, noted that the activist's health was concerning given the ongoing heat in Delhi .
Dipke confirmed that Wangchuk has lost 2 kg since the beginning of his hunger strike, and his blood pressure has been consistently falling. The activist has declared his intention to continue the fast for up to six weeks unless his demands are met.
Doctors monitoring Wangchuk rejected allegations circulating on social media that he had consumed food during the fast, stating that his blood sugar reading of 66 mg/dL was inconsistent with such claims.
The CJP, which gained 22 million followers on Instagram within days of its formation, has been demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including the NEET-UG paper leak that impacted over 2.3 million medical aspirants . Reports suggest that the government is weighing significant cabinet changes, with speculation that Pradhan could be moved from his portfolio .
"With each passing day, more people are coming here from different parts of India," Dipke said, noting that the protest has drawn support from across the country .
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