Cinema VinesIn the early hours of Monday, Delhi witnessed a surge of unrest as students and activists gathered to protest alleged irregularities in the education system, including accusations of NEET exam leaks. The demonstrations, organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), escalated into violent clashes with police, who deployed lathicharges and other forceful measures that left several protestors injured. Video footage circulating online captured the intensity of the police response and the determination of the demonstrators to defy dispersal orders.
Amid the turmoil, actor and filmmaker Riteish Deshmukh took to X (formerly Twitter) to express solidarity with the youth. In a tweet posted later that evening, he wrote, “We stand in solidarity with the youth of our country. Their voices deserve to be heard — loud, clear, and without fear. They are the heartbeat of our democracy and the true architects of our nation’s future.” Deshmukh urged the government to open a dialogue with the protestors and emphasized the need to empower young people, concluding his message with the patriotic slogan “Jai Hind.”
The CJP’s demands, presented to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda during a Monday meeting, include the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, compensation of ₹1 crore for families of NEET aspirants who lost their lives, and the immediate release of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is currently hospitalized. The party’s spokesperson, Saurav Das, stated that the protests would continue until Pradhan steps down.
Delhi officials maintained that the protestors acted in an unruly and aggressive manner, refusing to comply with lawful directives and deliberately violating prohibitory orders. In contrast, the demonstrators claim that police targeted them indiscriminately, leading to multiple injuries on their side. The clash has drawn attention to the broader issue of educational integrity and the role of student activism in shaping policy.
As the protests enter their third week, the city remains on edge, with authorities and activists both calling for a resolution that balances law and order with the legitimate grievances of the youth. The situation continues to unfold, with the government’s next steps likely to influence the trajectory of the movement and the broader debate over educational reforms in India.
