In the Sarsour Janata Party (CJP) Protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Saturday, people had different reasons for being there. For some, it was about demanding accountability over recurring exam-related controversies. For others, it was an opportunity to support students, while some were simply there to witness a movement they had hitherto only followed on their phone screens.
The protest that got the green light from him Delhi authorities earlier in the day remained largely peaceful throughout. Under the slogans and speeches, there were personal stories, experiences and demands directed at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
Founder of the political satirical group, he was educated in Boston Abhijit Deepki shared the stage with Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk, as hundreds of supporters from various states gathered at Jantar Mantar despite the scorching June heat.
The protesters were seen raising slogans “Paper leak Kitni baar aayegi ki sarkar (How many more times do we have to endure this paper leak government?)” while wearing face masks cut from cockroaches. Many also carried pictures of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, standing next to Debaki, and chanted ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans.
“Paper leaks cannot go unanswered.”
For many at the protest site, the issue was deeply personal.
One of the protesters said that his son appeared for the NEET-UG exam this year. “I traveled from Rajasthan to participate in the protest. Irregularities in the conduct of examinations, such as leakage of papers, weaken the morale of students,” he said.
He added that his son is psychologically exhausted now and will take the exam again on June 21.
“All this cannot remain unanswered and the government must take responsibility,” he told HT.
He also expressed his hope for the CJP founder, adding: “Deepke is young, he understands pain.”
Another protester who traveled from Pune in Maharashtra to participate said: “This is just the beginning. It is not just about Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. India is currently facing a lot of issues. This protest shows that we want change and we will not stand idly by until it happens on its own.”
“I am fed up with the government and have come here to stand with NEET aspirants who have suffered due to paper leakage. Even if the police resort to lathi charge or the situation turns violent, I am ready to stay here and continue protesting,” Lakshya Verma, 21, from Alwar in Rajasthan, told HT.
Not just the aspirants, but the supporters too
Not everyone at Jantar Mantar had direct contact with NEET or government recruitment exams.
Simran, a 23-year-old participant from Rohini in Delhi, said she had not appeared for the NEET or CBSE Class 12 exams but wanted to show solidarity.
She blamed what she called a “broken education system” and said: “I took a number of government exams but could not get a job.”
Two teachers from Uttar Pradesh said they traveled all night to reach Jantar Mantar in time for the protest.
One said: “I teach a lot of ambitious students, and the news of paper leaks has upset them a lot. They ask us questions that we don’t have answers to. Someone has to take responsibility.”
He added that he also participated in several government recruitment tests in his younger days, but was unable to get a job.
Beyond anger and frustration, the protest also carried an unmistakable air of a gathering that had become bigger than just one demand. The social media presence of the CJP – which has more than 22 million members – appears to have drawn some people out of the June heat simply because they wanted to see what all the hype was about.
A picnic on Saturday amid protests
It appears that some chose the protest as their outing on Saturday. “I told Shikha that we will not meet today if you do not accompany me to Jantar Mantar,” Nalin, who spoke to HT, joked. Sheikha, a teacher, said she was surprised by the turnout.
Another elderly couple, who were out spending late Saturday, decided to stop by the protest site. After taking some photos and selfies, perhaps for social media, they quietly moved on.
A resident of Mayur Vihar came after lunch to witness the much-discussed protest for himself. “I’m here to see Debaki,” he said, before hastily asking if the founder was already on stage and heading toward the entrance.
Constitution and roses
Some participants preferred visual symbolism over logos. One person was wearing an eye-catching red outfit and carrying a copy of the Indian Constitution covered in burgundy.
Another was wearing formal attire with a half-sleeved bandh gala coat, and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Instead of a pocket square, he pinned a tricolor map of India to his coat, echoing the symbolism encouraged by organizers, including Wangchuk.
Many young people were also seen carrying red roses as a sign of peaceful demonstration.
Searching for water in the heat of Delhi
As the afternoon wore on and temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius, it seemed that the biggest challenge facing the protest was neither politics nor the police, but Delhi’s summer.
Protesters were often seen searching for shade and water, both of which became difficult to find. The few stores outside the venue ran out of stock quickly. A water tanker eventually arrived, but even that was not enough for the crowds chanting slogans under the harsh sun.
Another striking feature of the gathering was the massive media presence.
From major TV networks and newspapers to freelance journalists and social media influencers, almost everyone seemed to have arrived. By the latter half of the protest, it seemed as if the number of media personnel rivaled the number of protesters themselves.
From paramilitary personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) to local Delhi Police officers, the security deployment remained heavy throughout the day.
Alarm
When Debke and Wangchuk left the stage, authorities began dispersing the protesters around 5 p.m.
In a press conference after the protest ended, RJD spokespersons Ashutosh Ranka and Sourav Das reiterated their demand for the education minister’s resignation.
“We are giving the government seven days. Either Dharmendra Pradhan must resign respectfully, or Prime Minister Narendra Modi must sack him. If his resignation does not come within seven days, this movement will spread across the country,” Ranka said.
