Thousands protest in Lucknow over NEET exam mess, Cockroach Party chief joins

Thousands of competitive exam aspirants and teachers from across Uttar Pradesh gathered at Lucknow's Eco Garden on Friday to protest against recurring paper leaks, delays in recruitment processes, irregularities in examination results, and prolonged legal hurdles affecting government job aspirants. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) chief Abhijeet Dipke also arrived at the protest site with his supporters and addressed the gathering.

However, the presence of CJP leaders triggered tension among sections of the protesters, with several participants objecting to the involvement of political outfits in what they described as a student-led movement.

The demonstration, which drew participants from districts including Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Sultanpur, Barabanki, Amethi, Unnao and Hardoi, emerged as one of the largest student-led protests in recent months. Protesters demanded accountability and sweeping reforms in the examination and recruitment system.

Addressing the gathering, Dipke described India as a nation shaped by movements and public protests, citing the freedom struggle and opposition to the Emergency as examples.

Referring to alleged irregularities in examinations such as NEET, UP Police Sub-Inspector recruitment and Lekhpal examinations, he said those responsible should be held accountable and resign from their positions.

Soon after Dipke left the venue, organisers sought to distance the protest from any political affiliation, announcing that CJP had not been invited and reiterating that the demonstration was a student-led initiative organised under the banner of student activist Vivek Kumar.

ASPIRANTS VOICE FRUSTRATION

Students expressed anger over what they described as a persistent pattern of examination irregularities that has eroded confidence in the recruitment process.

Roshan Kumar, an aspirant from Prayagraj, said paper leaks had become a recurring problem affecting the future of lakhs of students.

"Whether it is NEET, UP Police Sub-Inspector recruitment, constable recruitment, Lekhpal examinations or teacher recruitment, controversies and irregularities continue to emerge. Students spend years preparing, only to see their efforts undermined," he said.

Another protester, Hemant Pandey from Lucknow, alleged that corruption had become deeply entrenched in the system.

"Nobody seems concerned about the future of young people. Students are repeatedly being made to suffer because of failures in the examination system," he said.

TEACHERS JOIN PROTEST

Several coaching teachers also participated in the demonstration, arguing that examination irregularities affect not only students but also the broader educational ecosystem.

Varun, a teacher from Prayagraj, said many students come from financially struggling families and make significant sacrifices to prepare for competitive examinations.

"Parents spend their hard-earned money on coaching and accommodation in other cities. Students study day and night with the hope of clearing examinations. When paper leaks or administrative failures destroy those dreams, frustration is natural," he said.

STUDENTS REJECT POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

A key development during the protest was the resistance shown by students to political participation.

Responding to questions about the Cockroach Janata Party extending support, organisers and participants maintained that the movement belonged exclusively to students.

"This is a protest by students and for students. No political party has been invited. Anyone may support our cause, but we will not allow the platform to become political," Varun said.

Angad Singh, an aspirant from Jaunpur, echoed similar sentiments.

"Paper leaks have become a source of profit for some people while students lose faith in the recruitment system. If any political party tries to use this issue for political gains, we will not permit it, whether it is the Cockroach Janata Party, Samajwadi Party or Congress," he said.

During the protest, some individuals carrying posters and expressing support for the Cockroach Janata Party appeared at the venue. Their presence drew objections from sections of the student gathering, leading to a brief period of tension.

Police officials closely monitored the situation as intelligence personnel and senior officers remained deployed at the venue.

Lucknow Joint Commissioner of Police Bablu Kumar was among the senior officers overseeing security arrangements. Drones monitored the crowd while police maintained strict control over the designated protest area.

The protest was held under heavy security deployment. Personnel from multiple districts were stationed at the venue, while barricades were erected and drone surveillance activated. Teams from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), civil police and women's battalions remained on standby throughout the day.

- Ends