CJP protest in Bengaluru urges more participation, sustained questioning
Bengaluru's CJP protest calls for increased public participation and accountability amid concerns over NEET paper leak and democracy.
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While the protest centred around the NEET paper leak and what the movement termed a “deteriorating democratic system”, it went beyond that agenda on July 19
Updated - July 19, 2026 04:09 pm IST - Bengaluru
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Freedom Park , in Bengaluru on July 19, 2026, condemning Delhi Police’s removal of activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar. | Photo Credit: J. Allen Egenuse
“Nothing is more dangerous than ‘mere bholne se kya hoga’ [What can be achieved by my speaking up],” read a poster that captured the essence of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Freedom Park in Central Bengaluru, which saw the participation of over 1,000 people on Sunday (July 19, 2026).
As it has since the beginning of the movement, the protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and also questioned the forced removal of Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where he had been observing a hunger strike, to a hospital.
While the protest centred around the NEET paper leak and what the movement termed a “deteriorating democratic system,” it went beyond that agenda on Sunday (July 19, 2026), urging greater public participation and stressing the importance of questioning.
A movement that must sustain
Addressing the gathering, actor Kishor Kumar said, “This protest shouldn’t be selective and must go beyond NEET to other systemic problems.” Mr. Kishor emphasised that the momentum the movement has gained should not stop at NEET but should extend to other issues affecting farmers, labourers, Dalits, and other sections of society.
Referring to Mr. Pradhan as “Adharmendra,” Mr. Kishor demanded his resignation. Stressing the importance of questioning, he said, “We become a dead society when we stop questioning. Democracy dies with irresponsible citizens.”
When asked whether the forced removal of Mr. Wangchuk was an opportunity to intensify the CJP movement, Mr. Kishor said, “It (forced removal) is not good for democracy. But it is good for the whole movement, which can now attract more people and, in turn, strengthen the demand for accountability.”
He also expressed hope that the movement would sustain, pointing to the continued support it has received so far. “They have kept the agitation alive, and the support has increased eventually. As long as the movement is alive and the questioning sustains, more people will join,” he said.
Read live updates from the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar on July 19, 2026
Sohan, a 13-year-old boy, voiced his concern over the future of the youth, asking, “If a person like Mr. Wangchuk is being treated like this, then what will be our future?” He said the government should not assume that young people like him cannot understand what is happening, because they are watching and demanding accountability.
Kavya, a student, also expressed concerns over accountability and said the NEET aspirants did not kill themselves but were murdered by a flawed and failed system. “However, there is no accountability yet. Not just this, but protests across the country, including those by tribals, the people of Manipur, and others, have not been heard.”
Against the backdrop of fiery speeches at Freedom Park, protesters held posters reading, “Against the demons of democracy,” “We ask for a PM, not a solo traveler,” and “Demanding accountability doesn’t make you anti-national.”
What began with a few hundred people at 10 a.m., the protest saw a gradual increase in the participants as more people joined, indicating the momentum the movement is gaining.
Published - July 19, 2026 01:43 pm IST
demonstration / Cockroach Janta Party
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