Published Jun 14, 2026 | 10:17 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 14, 2026 | 11:44 AM
CJP protest in Hyderabad. (Sreshta Ladegaam/South First)
Synopsis: The Cockroach Janata Party is organising a massive protest in Hyderabad seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and the irregularities related to the CBSE’s OSM. The protest was organised at Dharna Chowk, Lower Tank Bund, with a significant crowd gathering at the sit-in protest tent outside Indira Park.
The newly formed citizens’ movement, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), is organising a massive protest in Hyderabad on Sunday, 14 June, seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak and the irregularities related to the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM).
The protest is part of the movement’s nationwide campaign seeking Pradhan’s resignation. Similar protests have been held in Delhi, Pune, and Lucknow. Bengaluru will also host a CJP protest on Sunday evening.
In Hyderabad, the protest was organised at Dharna Chowk, Lower Tank Bund. With a significant crowd gathered at the sit-in protest tent outside Indira Park, surrounding roads have been blocked.
Hyderabad-based activist Ruchit Kamal is presiding over the protest meeting. Slogans were being raised calling for the resignation of Pradhan. Education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk, political analyst Professor K Nageshwar, and CJP’s official spokesperson Vijetha Dahiya are also attending the protest.
“The reason we can stand here today and protest is because of the sacrifices made by the people who fought for an independent India. We take inspiration from the martyrs of the Telangana movement,” said Kamal.
While protestors raised slogans to make Wanchuk the education minister, he rejected it and said that he has no intention to hold such positions. “My struggle is only against the injustices done to Indian students,” he said.
Dahiya rejected allegations that someone is funding their movement and added that people are their funding.
He said “Godi media” (a term used in India by the Opposition to denote the media supporting the Union government) has only two aims — not to do their job, not to report the truth and advance their career. He asked the media to do their job and stand as an inspiration for future generations.
Meanwhile, the protestors booed reporters of Times Now, terming the outlet “Godi media”.
Protesters also raised slogans against Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Nirmala Sitharaman, demanding their resignation.
Also Read: Cockroach Janta Party launches first protest at Jantar Mantar, seeks Dharmendra Pradhan’s exit
Speaking at the protest, Wangchuk called for responsible education and a complete overhaul of the current system.
“Cancellations, leaks, broken system — we want it changed. We need to fix our environmental issues. We may not have drinking water after a few years. I want to specifically talk about Hyderabad because of your history of agitations against injustice. I closely followed your efforts to protect KBR National Park, and I appreciate it. The government can be of Congress or BJP; they think they can cut all the trees and build with concrete everywhere, and that we would be okay with it. We need to oppose it vehemently. You showed us that resilience goes a long way,” he said.
“You can’t be afraid to speak up. If we continue to be afraid, we cannot achieve anything. We need a fear-free India. We need to make India a functional democracy. We also need to build a hate-free India. India will never be the number one country in the world if we continue to breed hate. We need to take inspiration from the countries that are prioritising equality and are prospering.”
“We need to fix our education and take care of the environment for our future generations. Nothing matters if we do not have trees, drinking water or a thriving planet in the long term. It is our responsibility for our future generations,” he added.
He also thanked people for supporting his struggle in Ladakh.
According to CJP founder and organiser Abhijeet Dipke, the demonstrations across the country are intended to remain peaceful, and participants have been urged to maintain appropriate behaviour throughout the event.
“The main objective is to provide justice to NEET and CBSE students. Accountability must be fixed. Paper leaks can’t go on,” Dipke had told an earlier gathering.
In Hyderabad, All India Youth Federation (AUYF), the youth wing of the CPI, has also extended support to the CJP protest, along with Dappu artists and singers.
Meanwhile, Telangana students shared their grievances regarding the irregularities in TGPSC examinations, including the massive hike in application fees.
A parent joined the protest and pointed out that high school fees are a major issue in Telangana private schools. “As a tax-paying citizen, I deserve to be able to send my children to affordable schools with good facilities,” she said, urging people to speak up against injustices.
Dahiya said, “Many people think it is okay to be apolitical, and cited Bertolt Brecht’s line, “The worst illiterate is political illiterate”. He asked protestors to talk to their friends and make them get actively involved in politics.
“The CJP movement will not fizzle out as people are saying. It’s not about CJP. We are here to make people aware. Even if CJP doesn’t exist, we hope the people take it forward,” he added.
Mushir Khan of Freedom Again Foundation spoke against the privatisation of education and called for the improvement of government schools. Citizen activist Vijay Mallangi is also in attendance. Mallangi and Kamal were instrumental in the “Save KBR” and “Save Kancha Gachibowli” campaigns in Hyderabad.
Speaking earlier, Dipke had said that the movement would soon release its manifesto.
“The manifesto focuses on preventing question paper leaks, ensuring timely declaration of examination results, improving transparency in recruitment and entrance examinations, strengthening accountability of examination authorities, and addressing issues faced by students due to delays and irregularities in the conduct of examinations,” he said.
(With inputs from Sreshta Ladegaam.)
