CJP Protests: When Dharmendra Pradhan denied paper leak but later took ‘moral responsibility’ for it | Today’s news
The Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest against alleged irregularities in the 2026 NEET examination has gained momentum over the past month, with Bollywood celebrities supporting the protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also promised strict action against those involved in the paper leak. But the CJP, its supporters and the opposition have only one demand: Education Minister “Dharmendra Pradhan must resign.”
This is not the first time Pradhan has faced heat over a paper leak. While there have been allegations and cases of paper leaks over the years, Pradhan has been accused of making contradictory statements during a case in 2024.
What he said about the 2024 paper leak
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Dharmendra Pradhan has been accused of denying and later taking “moral responsibility” for alleged irregularities in the NEET 2026 examination, which included allegations of a paper leak.
The protests continue as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demands Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and accountability for the alleged paper leak along with compensation to the affected families.
Over the course of a week, Pradhan went from saying there was no evidence of a paper leak to admitting there were “irregularities” in specific regions and finally saying he took “moral responsibility” for the problems.
The CJP and many protesters believe that he should step down due to his perceived incompetence and inability to ensure the integrity of the NEET examination process.
The government is setting up fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases and preparing new legislation aimed at tougher penalties for those involved in such incidents.
From ‘no paper leak’ to ‘taking moral responsibility’ – in just seven days, Dharmendra Pradhan seemed to issue contradictory statements on the NEET paper leak incident that rocked the country in 2024. Here’s the timeline:
According to an AltNews analysis, from the declaration of NEET-UG results on 4 June 2024 to 12 June 2024, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan did not make any statement addressing or acknowledging the allegations of irregularities. He broke his silence on the matter on June 13.
June 13, 2024: Responding to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Pradhan said in a post on X, “So far, no concrete evidence of rigging, corruption or paper leakage in the NEET exam has come to light.” He said the government had passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Act.
He later reiterated the ‘no paper leak’ claim regarding the NEET-UG paper leak. He said, “Twenty four thousand students have cleared the NEET exam. There is no paper leak, no evidence has been found so far…”
June 16: Pradhan changed his stance and said he was informed about some “irregularities” at the two centres. He did not spare many details. He said: “Some irregularities have come to light at two places… Even if the top officials of NTA are found guilty, they will not be spared.”
He acknowledged that much improvement was needed in the NTA. “The government is worried, no culprit will be spared, he will get the harshest punishment,” he said.
June 20: Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said that the government will not jeopardize the future of thousands of applicants because of a few “isolated incidents”. He said, “I can assure you that the bug is limited to a specific region.”
He said at the time, “We have received inputs from the Bihar government regarding the NEET examination. The Patna police are investigating the matter and will soon send a detailed report to the Indian government. Preliminary information suggests that the errors were limited to a specific region.”
When the government refused to cancel the exam, Pradhan said, “It is unfair to hold hostage the careers of those candidates who have legitimately passed the exam because of some isolated cases of malpractice.”
June 21: In the first admission of an irregularity in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam, Dharmendra Pradhan admitted that there were “some errors limited to specific regions”, referring to Bihar’s investigation into the paper leak allegations. According to the Indian Express, he took “moral responsibility” for the loss of faith among the youth and students.
The report quoted Pradhan as saying, “I take moral responsibility for that. It will be necessary to secure the country’s future, maintain quality and transparency, and respect the hard work of millions of poor students.
Pradhan also announced the setting up of a high-level committee to set accountability within the NTA and review its structure and functioning.
June 23: During his speech in the Lok Sabha, Pradhan said, “Honourable member has raised the issue of question paper leak in the last seven years, 70 times. Sir, with full responsibility I would like to inform you in front of the house, sir, there is no evidence of any paper leak in the last seven years.” His statement came at a time when the case was pending in the Supreme Court.
NEET 2026 Paper Leak Line: What Dharmendra Pradhan Has Said So Far?
Two months ago, when the NEET paper leak allegations surfaced, Dharmendra Pradhan held a detailed media briefing on the re-examination and said, “It has been confirmed to us that real exam questions have indeed been leaked under the guise of a puzzle.”
The NEET-UG exam was held across India on May 3 and May 7, while the re-exam was conducted on June 21 after NTA canceled the previous exam.
In a press conference on May 15, Pradhan said, “The investigation has been handed over to the CBI, which has initiated immediate action. It will go to the depths of cracking…” He also said, “This time we will not allow any malpractice to happen… We are all very sad and worried about the candidates, but we had to take this tough decision in the interest of the nation…”
Later, in an exclusive interview with NDTV, he said, “NTA has reposed faith in certain teachers but some of them have not fulfilled their responsibility. Rakshak hi bhakshak ban gaye (protectors themselves have become predators),” he said.
Recently, after the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, staged a demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s residence on July 20, Pradhan criticized the Congress leader. He accused him of “brazenly” using students as “political tools to create havoc during the monsoon session of Parliament”.
Pradhan wrote on X, “Even after the government expressed its readiness for a comprehensive discussion, the Congress chose political spectacle over democratic debate.”
The Education Minister assured that the Center “remains 100% committed to discussing NEET and addressing every real issue of our youth on the floor of the House”.
“Indian students deserve much more than to be treated as props in a political campaign. They deserve certainty over chaos, solutions over slogans and accountability over disruption,” Pradhan posted on X.
He added: “We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reform and accountability. That’s exactly what our government continues to deliver.”
