ISLAMABAD: A student-led group continued its protest for the 12th day at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Wednesday over reported failures in India’s national examination system, according to organizers.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been holding an indefinite sit-in since June 20 at the designated protest site in the Indian capital, according to the group and local reporting cited by The New Indian Express.

The protest centers on allegations of irregularities in national medical and university entrance examinations. These include claims of paper leaks, grading concerns and administrative errors, according to Al Jazeera.

The group has issued three demands: the resignation of the education minister, compensation for families of students who died by suicide linked to exam-related stress, and reforms to India’s national examination system, according to statements by the group.

The movement was launched by Abhijeet Dipke, a digital creator, who began mobilizing supporters in early June, according to the BBC.

India’s National Testing Agency faced allegations of paper leaks in the NEET-UG medical entrance examination in Bihar, as well as reported irregularities and administrative issues in other national entrance exams, according to Al Jazeera.

The agency has faced criticism in previous cycles over examination conduct and evaluation procedures, according to the same reporting.

CJP created as protest group

The group’s name stems from remarks made by Chief Justice Surya Kant during a court hearing in which he compared some critics and unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites,” according to court reporting. The judge later clarified that the remarks referred to individuals with fraudulent credentials, as per The Hindu.

Dipke later launched a social media campaign using the hashtag #MainBhiCockroach, which spread widely online and led to the formation of the protest group, according to BBC reporting.

On June 20, the group began an indefinite sit-in at Jantar Mantar, according to The New Indian Express. Protesters have staged demonstrations using loud public displays, including banging utensils, to draw attention to their demands.

Participants have remained at the site during extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, according to The CSR Journal. Some participants have required medical assistance. Meanwhile, Indian police restricted access to parts of the protest area.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has participated in a solidarity hunger strike, according to DW News. Civil society figures, including advocate Prashant Bhushan, have also expressed support.

India’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has criticized the protest, describing the group as disruptive, the BBC reported. Protest leader Dipke rejected the criticism in comments to the BBC.

student suicides

Student protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar enters second week