What is behind the student movement spreading across India?

Thousands of supporters of the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party movement against students have taken up residence in New Delhi. Their main demand is the resignation of India's Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This is being seen as the biggest public challenge against his government in the country's third term as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Why is Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation demanded?

The immediate cause of the protests that spread across India was the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) question paper. The medical college admission test in India was canceled after allegations of question paper leak were proven.

About two million students participated in the exam held on May 3. Later, after the exam was canceled, it was alleged that at least a dozen students committed suicide due to depression. The exam was re-conducted in June.

Why is NEET so important?

NEET is the only national exam for admission to undergraduate medical education in India. Although lakhs of students participate in it every year, there are less than 1.5 lakh seats. As a result, it is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India.

Experts say that due to limited seats, students have to prepare for a long time. This increases mental stress, frustration and in many cases, the burden of debt.

Have question papers been leaked before?

Question paper leaks of various government exams and recruitment exams are not a new phenomenon in India. In 2024, there were allegations of NEET question paper leaks in some areas, although no re-examination was conducted then.

Apart from this, question papers of various government job recruitment exams including police constables and teachers have also been leaked in the past.

Why is there so much discussion on the issue this time?

A satirical youth movement called ‘Kakroch Janata Party’ emerged around the issue of this question paper leak. Formed in mid-May, this movement gained lakhs of followers on Instagram within a few days.

According to experts, the main strength of this movement is the anger accumulated over high unemployment among young people under the age of 30, the crisis in the education system and incidents like question paper leaks.

Government response

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is committed to addressing the concerns of students and reforms will be brought in the examination system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured strict punishment to those involved in the question paper leak.

Meanwhile, Health Minister J.P. Nadda has assured to meet the protesters and discuss their demands.

Other demands of the protesters include the release of social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on hunger strike. A compensation of Rs 1 crore each to the families of students who committed suicide in the question paper leak case.

Current status of the movement

Thousands of protesters are still at their location in Delhi despite police firing tear gas and baton charges during the protest march towards the Indian Parliament. Movement leaders have said that they will continue the movement until their demands are met.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party Congress and other opposition parties have also announced to keep the government under pressure on this issue inside and outside Parliament.

According to analysts, this issue, which can have a big impact on young voters, has become a key political challenge for the Modi government.