Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), calling it the “B team of disruptive elements” amid the group’s ongoing protests demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations.
In an interview with NDTV, Pradhan said, “Those who were rejected in a democracy have returned in disguise and are now targeting the system. They raise slogans for people who want to divide the country. Their identity has been exposed.”
In the statement, Pradhan suggested that people who had failed to gain public support through democratic means were now trying to influence events indirectly by working through other groups. He alleged that these individuals were targeting institutions and raising slogans that, according to him, supported forces seeking to divide the country.
Pradhan termed the NEET re-examination held on June 21 a success after the paper leak reported on May 3. The BJP leader said some people do not have faith in the country's progress.
The remarks came as the CJP continued its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The youth led organisation has been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, accusing the Centre of failing to prevent alleged irregularities in examinations, including the recent NEET controversy. Protesters have organised demonstrations, including symbolic campaigns such as a diaper donation drive, to press for their demands.
Responding to the minister’s remarks, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke hit back in a post on X. Referring to the Education Minister’s criticism of the organisation, Dipke wrote, “But the irony is that he is the one with the blood of more than 17 students on his hands.” The comment appeared to reference the recent deaths of several students, which the CJP has linked to alleged failures in the examination system and the pressure surrounding competitive exams.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the Centre and the CJP, with both sides standing firm on their positions as protests continue in the national capital.
