Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke declared a 'win for democracy' on 25 July after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation — a central demand of the CJP-led students' agitation over the NEET-UG paper leak that rocked the country following the May 3 examination scandal. The student outfit celebrated the development publicly, with Dipke addressing both reporters and demonstrators at the site of the protest.

CJP's Reaction to Pradhan's Exit

The CJP posted 'Democracy Wins!' on its official X handle, accompanied by a video of protesters celebrating. Speaking directly to demonstrators, Dipke said: 'We have done it!...Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. What did they say, that resignations don't happen under this government...we say that the world does bow down, it just needs the correct people to do so.'

Displaying a banner bearing photographs of students who died by suicide in the aftermath of the May 3 NEET-UG paper leak, Dipke said: 'This is for them, for all those students who lost their lives due to Dharmendra Pradhan.'

Two Demands Still Pending

Despite the resignation, Dipke made clear the agitation is not over. 'We won't go like that,' he said, outlining two remaining demands. First, families of students who died by suicide must receive compensation of ₹1 crore each. Second, action must be taken against police personnel who, according to the CJP, used force against protesters during the 20 July Parliament march.

He also demanded that all cases registered against students — before and after 20 July — be withdrawn. 'All the cases which have been registered against the students before or after July 20 must be withdrawn,' Dipke asserted.

A Warning to Police and a Message to India

Dipke directed pointed remarks at police officers: 'Only one resignation has taken place. Remember, do not mess with cockroaches...We took blows on ourselves; the students of this country have done a very courageous job.' He framed the outcome as a broader lesson in democratic accountability: 'To the people of India, this is how a democracy should be.'

He also emphasised that the resignation demonstrated the power of sustained, fearless protest: 'There's no need to be afraid. This is democracy, and in order to hold them accountable, we have to raise our voice. They are in power due to us.'

Pradhan's Statement on Resignation

Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan, while submitting his resignation, reaffirmed his commitment to youth and education and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support. Pradhan framed the decision as a response aimed at protecting exam integrity and the future of students — stopping short of accepting personal culpability for the paper leak.

Background: NEET-UG Controversy

The NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, which surfaced on 3 May, triggered nationwide outrage among medical aspirants and their families. The CJP-led agitation had been demanding Pradhan's resignation as a mark of ministerial accountability. This is the most significant political scalp claimed by a student-led movement in recent memory, drawing comparisons to campus protests that historically preceded larger political shifts in India.

With two demands still on the table, the CJP has signalled that its mobilisation continues — and the government's response to those outstanding issues will determine whether the agitation winds down or escalates further.