Amid growing anger over the NEET paper leak controversy and other issues affecting young people, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held its second protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday (June 20), drawing a much larger crowd and adopting a more organised approach than its previous demonstration earlier this month.

With performers, rappers and poets engaging attendees from the outset, the gathering steadily expanded through the day and continued into the night despite police refusing permission for an overnight sit-in.

Unlike the June 6 protest, where logistical arrangements appeared limited, the latest demonstration featured a pre-arranged stage and tighter crowd management. By evening, founder Abhijit Dipke and nearly 120 supporters remained at the venue even after the Delhi Police denied their request to extend the agitation beyond the permitted hours.

Dipke, who was recently slapped during a protest in Jaipur, arrived around 2 pm and addressed the gathering from the stage. Targeting the Centre over its refusal to remove Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, he led slogans of “Go Pradhan Go”, drawing parallels with slogans popular during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During the pandemic, someone said that banging plates creates positive vibrations. So do it,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call during the pandemic to bang clap, ring bells, or bang utensils to thank health workers.

Many protesters were seen carrying plates and spoons. Referring to the police personnel deployed at the site, Dipke remarked, “I look at the police personnel here. I believe they are with us as well. Their children are also studying for these exams. So I believe they have come here to join us.”

Around 3.35 pm, activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest and invoked Lord Ram's teachings while referring to the suicides reported among aspirants.

“Pran jaaye par vachan na jaaye (We can lose our lives, but not the honour) was his teaching. Yahan inka vachan jaata hai, aur humara Pran (Here their word is at stake and our lives,” he said.

Calling for accountability, Wangchuk urged ministers to send their children to the same schools attended by ordinary citizens and warned, “Pradhan doesn’t resign by next week, I would resume protest.. We are just asking for accountability. At least give us confidence that it won’t happen again. You guys (The youth in the crowd) will be future ministers. Please be good ones, who take responsibility.”

He then led chants of “Zimedaari (responsibility)…”, with protesters responding “leni hogi hogi” (will have to be taken).

The event also featured poetry recitals and rap performances, with artists travelling from places including Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. Poet Rahul Sashta recited his composition “Samaj Ka Dastoor hai, Yaha Manav majboor hai”, while traditional poetry groups associated with AISA also participated.

As the deadline for concluding the protest approached, Dipke wrote to New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma seeking permission to continue through the night.

Addressing supporters, he declared, “We won’t leave until Pradhan resigns. You are telling us that time for protest has ended. You should also give a warning to Pradhan that his time in ministry has ended.”

In his letter, Dipke said that “…due to large scale gatherings, and participation of citizens of Delhi and other states of country’, the CJP wants to hold the protest till tomorrow.” He also assured the authorities that the agitation would remain peaceful and that protesters would cooperate with the police.

Although the request was rejected, a smaller group of CJP members and supporters remained near the stage late into the evening, joined by activists from AISA and other student organisations, continuing to raise slogans even as most participants gradually dispersed from Jantar Mantar.