CJP agitation ends, but fight for justice on: Protesters

New Delhi: As the protest at Jantar Mantar led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) drew to a close amid victory slogans on Saturday evening, organisers and supporters dispersed peacefully, vowing that this was not the end of their struggle and that they would continue to raise their voice on key issues in the coming days. Gen Z, millennials and others gathered at the site maintained that while the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan was welcome, there was a need for a systemic overhaul and greater accountability from the government.

The crowd cheered as the organisers announced that many had been asking what would become of the CJP now that its three demands had been met, asserting that “this is just the beginning”. “We have presented a five-point exam reform charter to the government on how to make the exam system robust. We will meet the government again after a month on this issue… To make long story short, we have won,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced from the stage.

CJP leaders also declared that the Centre had assured them that protesters in BJP-ruled states would not be harassed by the authorities.

Also Read | Dharmendra Pradhan resigns: Education Minister sends resignation letter to PM Modi amid CJP protests due to NEET paper leak

Dipke also took a swipe at the Narendra Modi-led government during his brief address. “We had heard that no resignations happen in this government,” he said, amid loud cheers. Protesters responded with chants of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Many from Gen Z felt that there were already enough laws in place and that the priority should be to implement them in letter and spirit rather than continue enacting stricter legislation.

ET spoke to several people, from parents to millennials and Gen Z protesters, at the site soon after Pradhan announced his resignation. Some belonged to families directly affected by the NEET paper leak, while others had turned up in support of the cause.
Sara Firdous, a Class XII student preparing for next year’s NEET exam, expressed satisfaction over the development. “Now I can prepare in peace and without the fear that the paper will be leaked. It was a trauma for those who had to suffer because of paper leaks,” she said.Also Read | Dharmendra Pradhan resigns as education minister amid CJP protests. Here’s what he said in his letter

A few cited examples from other democracies where ministers and even PMs had resigned over comparatively smaller issues. “In the UK, we have seen seven PMs in the last decade. The last PM himself said he had not lived up to expectations and was stepping down,” said Deepanshu, a software engineer. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the 2024 law, is likely to provide for a minimum jail term of five years, extendable to 10 years, along with a fine of up to Rs 1 crore.