‘Cockroach’ note, CJP’s 37-day protest and Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation: A timeline of a historic youth-led movement | Today’s news
The controversial courtroom remark eventually blossomed into one of India’s largest youth-led protest movements, culminating in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25. Incensed by the outrage over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and demands for accountability and education reforms, the nationwide Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement has turned into an online satvolir campaign.
Here is a timeline of the key events that shaped the agitation:
May 3: NEET-UG 2026 paper leak sparks nationwide outrage
The controversy started after alleged irregularities and paper leakage surfaced during the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3. The National Testing Agency (NTA) later canceled the exam, ordered a re-test and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched an investigation. The episode sparked nationwide protests by medical aspirants and intensified demands for accountability within the education system.
May 13: CBSE OSM series ramps up the pressure
Soon after CBSE declared the Class 12 results on May 13, students flagged alleged irregularities in the newly introduced on-screen marking (OSM) system, alleging missing pages, blurred answer sheets and unmarked answers. Controversy deepened after technical glitches affected the revaluation process, putting further pressure on the Ministry of Education.
Mid-May: The “Cockroach” remark sparked an online movement
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The CJP movement was triggered by the leak of the NEET-UG 2026 paper on May 3, leading to widespread outrage and protests among medical aspirants demanding accountability in the education system.
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was significant for the protesters as it represented a victory against the government’s inaction on the NEET paper leak controversy and symbolized the strength of youth-led movements in demanding accountability.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s “cockroach” remark emboldened students, who reappropriated the term as a symbol of resistance, marking the beginning of a nationwide movement demanding reform and ministerial accountability.
Yes, many in the movement believe that continued protests are essential to ensure comprehensive education reforms, address outstanding demands and hold the government accountable for its promises made during the agitation.
The CJP’s main demands included Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, examination reforms, accountability for the NEET paper leak and compensation to the families of students who died by suicide in connection with the controversy.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s remark from the courtroom, in which the protesting youth were widely seen as “cockroaches”, sparked outrage on social media. The students adopted the term as a symbol of resistance and laid the foundation for what soon became a nationwide movement.
May 16: Abhijeet Dipke launches Cockroach Janta Party
Abhijeet Dipke, a US communications graduate, formally launched the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), turning the online campaign into an organized youth movement. The group’s social media platforms attracted millions of followers within weeks with demands focused on exam reforms, transparency and Pradhan’s resignation.
Read also | Inside the Jantara Mantara celebrations on Saturday after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down
June 6: Jantar Mantar becomes protest headquarters
After returning from the United States, Dipke led the CJP’s first major rally at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Students, parents and competitive exam aspirants demanded Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak, marking the beginning of sustained protests in the state capital.
June 21: Re-NEET conducted under heightened security
The NEET-UG re-examination was held amid extensive security arrangements involving central and state authorities. Although the investigation ended peacefully, protesters argued that the administrative measures alone were insufficient and continued to seek political accountability.
Read also | Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation LIVE: CJP withdraws ruckus
June 28: Sonam Wangchuk begins an indefinite hunger strike
Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk started an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on June 28 in support of students affected by the NEET-UG paper leak. His entry into the movement significantly expanded its national reach, Wangchuk demanded education reforms, accountability and dialogue with the Center.
July 16: Protests spread across India
As the movement gained momentum, the demonstrations spread beyond Delhi to several states. The CJP increasingly positioned the agitation as a broader campaign for education reforms, job opportunities and greater government accountability.
Read also | CJP ends protests after Pradhan resigns, government accepts demands
July 18: Sonam Wangchuk removed from the protest site after her health deteriorated
As his indefinite hunger strike entered its third week, Wangchuk was removed from the Jantar Mantar protest site by the Delhi Police on July 18 after doctors reportedly raised concerns about his deteriorating health. He was taken to Safdarjung Hospital where he was admitted for medical treatment with signs of severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Plainclothes officers used large white sheets and sheets as a curtain wall to block the public’s view while they moved him during the early morning hours.
The move drew sharp criticism from the CJP, who alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed to weaken the protest. His wife Gitanjali J. Angmo later approached the Delhi High Court seeking his transfer to a private hospital, while CJP leaders claimed the agitation would continue despite his hospitalization.
July 20: ‘Chalo Sansad’ march ends in clashes
The CJP Chalo Sansad march turned tense as protesters trying to cross to Parliament clashed with security personnel near the barricades. Delhi Police imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) ahead of the march, citing security concerns during the monsoon session of Parliament. Police used tear gas shells and batons to disperse the crowd after clashes broke out.
Police said 60 protesters and 118 policemen were injured in the clashes, while the CJP claimed around 150 protesters were injured. By Thursday, senior officials and medical staff told the BBC that at least 300 people, including protesters and police personnel, had been admitted to hospital, with most of those requiring medical treatment being protesters.
The Delhi Police alleged that some protesters tried to breach security arrangements, while the CJP alleged that excessive force was used against the protesters.
July 21 to 24: Talks with the Center fail to break the deadlock
The Center held several rounds of negotiations with representatives of the CJP, but the discussions did not yield a breakthrough as protesters insisted that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remained non-negotiable.
July 23: Sonam Wangchuk ends 26-day hunger strike
Activist Sonam Wangchuk called off his indefinite hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Center that his key demands would be addressed.
He announced his decision shortly after Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram around midnight on Thursday and conveyed the government’s commitments.
Read also | Shekhar Suman criticizes police brutality during CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar
July 23-24: Modi’s unconventional midnight reels
On the night of July 23-24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted late-night videos on social media addressing the examination crisis. While he announced measures including fast-track trials, tougher laws against paper leaks and reform of the vetting system, protesters criticized the videos for not addressing their main demand for Pradhan’s resignation. The discs quickly became the focus of online debate during the final phase of the campaign.
July 25: Dharmendra Pradhan resigns
Facing mounting political and public pressure, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25, saying he was stepping down in the larger interest of students. Protesters hailed the announcement as a landmark victory for the youth-led movement, though CJP leaders said the agitation would continue until compensation was provided to the families of students who died by suicide and action was taken against police personnel over the July 20 crackdown.
July 25: CJP withdraws stirs
The CJP announced the withdrawal of its 37-day agitation at Jantar Mantar in “good faith” after Pradhan resigned from the Council of Ministers and the organization received assurances from the government on its remaining demands. The discussion was held at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi and satisfied the CJP’s demand to avoid government offices or the ministerial residence.
