Protesters from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) will return to the streets from Thursday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The CJP first protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on June 6, the same day its founder Abhijit Debke arrived in India. It was a one-day protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, and Debke said they would return to the streets if Pradhan was not removed.
His resignation request comes in the wake of alleged examination irregularities, including NEET-UG paper leak and problems faced by Class 12 students due to the on-screen marking system.
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In a new statement, the CJP announced that it will not stand idly by after the one-day protest, and plans to take the demonstrations beyond Delhi to cities like Pune, Lucknow, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Jaipur and Hyderabad.
Pune protests start tomorrow
Debaki took to the
In a video message on Channel
Debke also said that activist and teacher Sonam Wangchuk will be present during the protest. Wangchuk also attended the Delhi demonstration.
CJP says indefinite protest if Pradhan does not resign
The statement further said that the CJP may launch an “indefinite sit-in” at Jantar Mantar from June 20 if the minister does not step down.
Terming it a national issue affecting millions of families and youth whose futures are at risk due to alleged irregularities in examination conduct, the CJP said, “The Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has failed to take responsibility for these repeated failures. Accountability must start from the top. That is why we reiterate our demand: Dharmendra Pradhan must resign.”
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She added, “If the government does not respond to this request and dismiss the minister, or if he does not submit his resignation, the youth of this country will gather on June 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for an indefinite peaceful sit-in until the minister resigns. We will not leave until accountability is done.”
Pradhan, among other leaders, performed pujas at various temples, wishing good health to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he completed 12 years in office, becoming the longest-serving Prime Minister in the history of independent India. Pradhan also promised that the NEET-UG exam will be repeated smoothly on June 21.
“All arrangements are being finalized. We have taken this responsibility very seriously. NTA will certainly succeed in conducting the re-examination smoothly,” he said, according to the agency.
“We had assured the students earlier that we will conduct an error-free exam, and I want to reassure them now. We will also ensure that the results are announced on time so that students do not waste valuable time learning,” he added.
