Amid nationwide anger over the NEET examination paper leak and alleged irregularities in the CBSE’s on-screen marking system, Hyderabad witnessed a large-scale peaceful protest on Sunday, with citizens demanding the immediate resignation and arrest of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The demonstration, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) under its founder Abhijeet Dipke, was held at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The protest in Hyderabad followed similar demonstrations held earlier in Delhi and Lucknow, forming part of a nationwide movement spearheaded by the CJP against examination malpractices.
The event drew students, youth, educationists, and representatives of various civil society organisations in large numbers, with the surroundings of Dharna Chowk packed well beyond expectations. Police, who had officially granted permission for around 200 participants until 12:30 PM, deployed heavy security to ensure the protest remained peaceful. Additional forces were stationed to ensure an orderly dispersal once the permitted time elapsed.
Renowned educationist and Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient Sonam Wangchuk, who addressed the gathering, said the CJP is not merely a political platform but a movement aimed at awakening every Indian citizen. He demanded transparency and accountability in institutions that shape the futures of students, asserting that everyone — including the Prime Minister — must be answerable to the people. Wangchuk expressed deep anguish over the deaths of talented students such as Aakanksha Chaturvedi and Pradeep, who allegedly ended their lives following the distress caused by the NEET paper leak controversy. He was moved to tears recalling Aakanksha’s story — a student whose father had borrowed ₹3 lakh to fund her education, and who had promised him that she would become a doctor and end their hardships, only to lose hope after news of the leak broke. He also praised Hyderabad citizens for raising their voices on environmental issues, particularly the protection of KBR Park.
Political analyst Professor Nageswara Rao called for the immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, citing moral responsibility for the repeated examination paper leaks. Drawing a parallel with former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, who resigned on moral grounds following a major rail accident, he questioned the conspicuous absence of the Union Minister even as papers were leaking month after month. He sharply criticised the government’s tendency to deflect every crisis onto citizens — telling people not to eat onions when prices rise, to buy gold instead of petrol, and questioning why women venture out at night when assaults occur. He warned that those who demand their rights are being branded as “urban Naxalites,” “anti-nationals,” or “Pakistani agents.” Cautioning the Central government, he declared that while the media and politics may be in their hands, the fury of the people cannot be controlled. “What began online has now spilled onto the streets,” he said.
Former Telangana Education Commission Chairman Akunuri Murali launched a scathing attack on the Central government’s education policies and Prime Minister Modi’s administration. He alleged that students are being cheated every year through corrupt governance, and that the country is being run by those incapable of even conducting examinations properly. Murali attributed the recurring paper leaks to rampant corruption within the Cabinet and accused Modi of shielding those responsible, including Dharmendra Pradhan. He questioned what justice had been delivered to the poor under 12 years of Modi’s rule, despite claims of remarkable governance. Citing reports that only 6 percent of degree graduates possess employable skills, he questioned the fate of the remaining 94 percent. He demanded not just the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, but his imprisonment for life.
CJP National Spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya also addressed the gathering, cautioning against the felling of trees and concretisation of cities in the name of development and beautification. She emphasised that genuine development must never displace people from their homes and that every individual has the right to live with dignity. She urged that all development be pursued in harmony with environmental conservation.
Throughout the event, protesters raised slogans calling for sweeping reforms in the education system, immediate overhaul of the examination process, greater transparency in entrance examinations and recruitment, and timely declaration of results. CJP representatives made clear that their struggle will not cease until justice is delivered to the students of India.