In the humid heat of a Delhi afternoon, young protesters moved quietly along the streets, their signs worn but steady. One activist had just ended a 26-day hunger strike, yet the Cockroach Janta Party showed no sign of folding its campaign. What began as online satire has become one of the more sustained tests of public patience with India's examination system in recent years.
The protests erupted after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test was cancelled following a leak of its question papers. Thousands of students saw their hopes deferred, in a country where competitive exams can shape entire futures. The Cockroach Janta Party, founded in May by Abhijeet Dipke, turned that frustration into organised action. What started at Jantar Mantar on 20 June has since spread to Mumbai, Chennai, Indore, Hyderabad and Patiala.
Sonam Wangchuk ended his fast on 24 July after receiving assurances from the government and MPs across parties. The commitments included parliamentary discussion of accountability in the examination system, compensation for families of students who died by suicide after the NEET leak, and a promise that no cases would be filed against those protesting peacefully. In his own words on X, the activist declared:
END OF HUNGER... BEGINNING OF ACCOUNTABILITY...! Sonam Wangchuk ends his fast after 26 days upon getting assurance from the government and members of parliament of all political parties that the issue of accountability in the failing examination system will be discussed on the floors of the Indian Parliament. The government also gave assurance that families of suicide victims in the recent NEET examination paper leak will be given adequate compensation and that there will be no cases registered against the peacefully protesting students and youths.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party met government officials in New Delhi the same day. Yet they insist their central demand remains unmet: the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They also want formal assurance that no criminal cases will be pursued against protesters and compensation of roughly $105,000 for the families affected by the suicides. The group has called for continued nationwide peaceful protests until these points are addressed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded with a clear message. In his own post he stated:
