Jaipur: What began as a student-led protest against the NEET paper leak evolved into a broader movement Saturday, as parents, school students, defence aspirants and retired public servants joined demonstrations in Jaipur, demanding accountability in the country’s education system.The protest, organised in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), entered its third day Saturday. After being held at Jawahar Circle for the first two days, demonstrators were granted police permission to gather at Shaheed Smarak between noon and 4pm.
Protesting students celebrate the resignation of minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur, Rajasthan on 25 july 2026
The crowd was no longer made up only of students preparing for competitive examinations. Parents worried about their children’s future stood shoulder to shoulder with young people who had already experienced the intense pressure of examinations such as NEET and JEE.
Many said that for aspirants who spend years preparing, paper leaks amount to a betrayal of both their hard work and their trust in the system.
Students and parents join hands during the protest in Jaipur on Saturday
The mood at the protest shifted dramatically around 2.30pm when news emerged that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned. What was an atmosphere of anticipation quickly turned into one of celebration, with cheers, slogans and applause breaking out across the protest site. Yet, many demonstrators stressed that the resignation marked only the beginning of the fight for accountability.Rani, an MBA student who attended all three days of the protest, said, “We demanded the resignation because the Centre govt needed to be reminded that it is answerable to the people. We elect govts, so we have every right to demand accountability. One resignation alone will not transform the education system overnight, but it is the beginning. This fight will continue.”
Students sit in protest against the NEET paper leak at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Saturday
Among those present was Satyaprakash Verma, who attended the protest with his school-going son. He said, “The minister may not have been directly responsible for the paper leak, but he is responsible for the system and for the people appointed to run it. If corruption exists at any level, those at the top must be prepared to accept responsibility.”Verma questioned the way key ministerial positions are filled. “Education ministers should be chosen for their qualifications, not political considerations. Had someone with a genuine understanding of education been in charge, perhaps students would not have been forced onto the streets. Our generation has lived its life, but our children are only beginning theirs. We have to fight for their future,” he said.Law student Bagga argued that while the protest was centred on irregularities in the National Testing Agency (NTA), it also highlighted long-standing concerns about Rajasthan’s education system.“Rajasthan has a history of paper leak cases. In the 2021 SI recruitment examination, deserving candidates were dismissed a year later, while those who allegedly bought question papers were not properly investigated. This protest is about the irregularities in the NTA, but the govt has now seen what Gen Z is capable of when it comes to demanding accountability,” Bagga said.Retired Rajasthan Police personnel Bahadurram also joined the gathering in support of the students. “Young people are like a storm moving towards change, and no force can stop them. The anger against corruption has reached a point where those responsible will have to examine their conscience. The spirit of Bhagat Singh now lives in India’s youth,” the ex-cop said.One of the most striking scenes at the protest was 17-year-old Rahimati standing beside her mother, both holding placards in support of the movement. Rahimati, a Class 12 student, said, “I may not fully understand what the families of students who died by suicide have gone through, but I know that I will soon be taking these competitive examinations myself. Today it is NEET aspirants. Tomorrow it could be me. That is why I am standing with them.”Her mother said the movement was no longer just about students. “This is not just a protest by young people. It belongs to every parent whose child is part of this education system. We have to stand up for our children’s future,” she said.Defence aspirant Himanshu Jogi said the govt acknowledged that the NEET paper leak took place, but acted too slowly. “Students should never have faced a lathi charge at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The Union education minister should have resigned as soon as the paper leak came to light,” Jogi said.Speaking about expectations from the new education minister, Jogi said, “A new minister cannot change the system overnight, but there will now be constant pressure to prevent future irregularities. Whoever takes charge will know that public accountability can no longer be ignored.”He also criticised Rajasthan’s education system, saying paper leaks could not be dismissed as minor incidents “Students have lost their lives. The issue cannot be trivialised. Whether it is NEET, recruitment examinations, university entrance tests or computer-based exams, every examination must be conducted fairly, without malpractice or paper leaks, and on time,” he said.As the three-day protest drew to a close, participants said their movement had grown beyond the demand for one minister’s resignation. For many gathered at Shaheed Smarak, it became a campaign to restore public confidence in India’s examination system and ensure that the aspirations of millions of students are no longer undermined by allegations of corruption and administrative failure.
