Abhijeet Dipke refuses to leave as cops clear protest site after extension denial

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 20, 2026 18:27 IST

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijit Dipke’s appeal to extend permission for the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar was turned down by Delhi Police on Saturday, as authorities maintained that the demonstration was allowed only until 5 pm. Dipke, however, said he would not leave the venue until the education minister resigns, while urging police to allow the protest to continue.

Addressing a large gathering of students and supporters at the party’s second demonstration at Jantar Mantar, organised over alleged examination irregularities, paper leaks and demands for government accountability, Dipke said that while the channel for dialogue remained open, the “only condition is that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign.”

“I request the authorities, since youth from across the country are here and want to continue sitting until we get justice. I urge Delhi Police to extend our permission. The protest has been peaceful; we are just innocent students seeking justice." the youth leader added.

He also urged Delhi Police to “open a dialogue with the Centre” and asserted, “If there are arrests, I will be the first to court arrest.” Dipke appealed to supporters to join the protest at 6 pm, expressing confidence that police would grant an extension of permission.

Following the appeal, Delhi Police reiterated that permission for the protest was valid only till 5 pm and asked participants to vacate the premises, effectively cancelling the request for extension. CJP leaders, however, announced that they would not leave the site.

Subsequently, police personnel initiated a peaceful evacuation process, entering the protest area and directing participants to disperse. No force was used at the time of reporting. While most protesters complied and vacated the venue, Dipke and a few student leaders affiliated with AISA remained on the stage.

The protest began earlier in the day amid heavy police deployment, with students raising slogans and holding placards demanding answers from the government over alleged failures in ensuring transparent examinations and safeguarding the interests of aspirants.

Supporters of party’s founder Dipke responded to his call to bring “thali and chammach” (plates and spoons), using them as symbols of protest and banging them during the demonstration. Protesters also raised slogans such as “Dharmendra Pradhan must resign,” reiterating their demand for accountability in examination-related issues.

Dipke was greeted with loud cheers upon his arrival at the protest site and said the movement was aimed at resolving the grievances faced by students. "We are here to solve today's students' problems," he said.

A young public policy professional said it was important to be present at the protest, noting that the movement had emerged organically through social media rather than from structured political spaces.

“Nobody knows exactly where this is going. It started on social media, not in organised rooms. It was organic and refreshing, and that is why people connected with it,” he said.

Echoing similar views, several participants admitted they were uncertain about the movement’s future direction but said they still felt compelled to join, believing that some form of collective mobilisation had become necessary.

Supporters were seen wearing cockroach masks and holding placards, including slogans such as “If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud” and “Sack Union Education Minister,” as they continued their protest.

Among those present was Delhi High Court advocate Dilshad Choudhary, who said repeated allegations of paper leaks had become a tipping point for public anger. “The education system has been facing challenges for years, but repeated paper leaks became the trigger,” he said, adding that it was important to support platforms raising such concerns and calling for change.

A Class 12 graduate preparing for NEET said participants were not expecting immediate outcomes but felt it was necessary to make their voices heard. “Not all wars are fought to be won; some are fought to let everyone know that someone was there,” the aspirant said, adding that those gathered were not driven by political motives but by frustration and a demand for answers.

Ahead of the protest, CJP founder Abhijit Dipke had written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking accountability over concerns raised by students. While the letter called for fixing responsibility, the CJP has also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.

The June 20 demonstration follows the group’s earlier protest at Jantar Mantar, where it had raised concerns over alleged paper leaks, examination irregularities and delays affecting students and job aspirants.

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