NEET-UG 'Sansad Chalo' march: CJP demands Pradhan's resignation, Wangchuk's release
Synopsis
Hundreds marched on Parliament under the 'Sansad Chalo' banner on 20 July, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-UG paper leak — and clashed with Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. With signal jammers deployed and a lathi charge reported, the CJP says this is far from over.
Key Takeaways
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led the 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi on 20 July over the NEET-UG paper leak case.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan , ₹1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide, and the immediate release of Sonam Wangchuk .
Clashes broke out at Jantar Mantar ; a lathi charge was reported as police used barricades and a riot control vehicle to stop marchers.
Delhi Police deployed signal jammers near the protest site, with protesters reporting disrupted mobile connectivity.
CJP spokespersons met Union Health Minister J.
Nadda during the day, even as street tensions escalated.
Geetanjali Angmo , wife of hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk , said the movement would continue beyond a single day of protest.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its supporters marched towards Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday, 20 July under the banner of 'Sansad Chalo', pressing for government accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak case and broader examination irregularities. The demonstration drew hundreds of students and young protesters, and ended in clashes with Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar.
Key Demands of the Protesters
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke laid out the movement's non-negotiables plainly: 'Our demands are clear: Dharmendra Pradhan must resign. The families of the children who committed suicide should receive compensation of Rs one crore. And Sonam Wangchuk should be released immediately.'
Dipke also confirmed that CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held a meeting with Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda, signalling that some channels of dialogue remained open even as tensions escalated on the streets.
Wangchuk's Wife Speaks on the Movement
Geetanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk — who is currently on a hunger strike — addressed the gathering, saying: 'Everyone is very happy that they have come in large numbers, and this movement that he started has become so big.'
She added that the protest's purpose extended beyond a single day of action: 'Today is a significant day, but this is not the end. This will continue, not necessarily through protests and fasting, but this demand — that the issue of education and educational reform becomes India's foremost issue — so that the future of our India gets opportunities.'
Clashes at Jantar Mantar
As the march attempted to push past security barricades toward Parliament, Delhi Police deployed multiple layers of barricading across the New Delhi district. A riot control vehicle entered the protest site early in the day, and authorities imposed movement restrictions in the surrounding area.
Confrontations intensified when demonstrators tried to cross the barricades, with police repeatedly pushing protesters back. A lathi charge was also reported during the confrontations, according to accounts from the site. Visuals showed hundreds of flag-carrying students raising slogans before being stopped by security personnel.
Signal Jammers and Connectivity Disruption
Authorities deployed signal jammers in and around the protest zone. Several protesters claimed that mobile phone connectivity was disrupted near the venue — a measure that drew criticism from demonstrators who said it impeded their ability to document and coordinate the march.
Background: NEET-UG and Examination Integrity
The protest was organised primarily to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak case, alongside concerns over irregularities in the 12th CBSE Board examinations. The twin controversies have ignited nationwide debate about the integrity of India's high-stakes competitive examination system, with student groups across multiple states joining calls for accountability. This comes amid a broader crisis of confidence in centralised examination bodies, making the 'Sansad Chalo' march one of the more visible student-led mobilisations in recent years.
The situation at Jantar Mantar remained tense through the day, and the CJP has indicated that its campaign will continue until its demands are met.
Point of View
Yet accountability has been diffuse and slow. The CJP's demands — a minister's resignation, suicide-victim compensation, and a detained activist's release — span three distinct grievances bundled into one march, which risks diluting the core NEET accountability message. Notably, the deployment of signal jammers at a civilian protest site raises questions about proportionality that deserve as much scrutiny as the examination irregularities themselves. If the government's only response is barricades and lathi charges, it is likely to deepen, not defuse, student anger.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Sansad Chalo' protest about?
'Sansad Chalo' is a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and allied groups demanding government accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak and irregularities in the 12th CBSE Board examinations. The march, held on 20 July in New Delhi, called primarily for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
What are the CJP's specific demands?
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stated three demands: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of ₹1 crore for families of students who died by suicide linked to the examination crisis, and the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk.
What happened at Jantar Mantar during the protest?
Clashes broke out between protesters and Delhi Police as demonstrators attempted to cross security barricades toward Parliament House. Police deployed multiple barricade layers, a riot control vehicle, and signal jammers; a lathi charge was also reported during the confrontations.
Who is Sonam Wangchuk and why is his release being demanded?
Sonam Wangchuk is an activist who is reportedly on a hunger strike. His wife Geetanjali Angmo addressed the protest, saying the movement he started had grown significantly. The CJP has included his immediate release as one of its core demands alongside the NEET accountability issues.
Did the protesters meet any government officials?
Yes, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka met with Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda during the day. However, the CJP has indicated that the campaign will continue until all its demands are fulfilled.
