The peaceful conclusion of the Cockroach Janata Party’s 37-day protest at Jantar Mantar offers a clear window into the government’s approach toward India’s youth and democratic expression. At a time when examination integrity became a concern in every state, the response to the agitation over NEET irregularities showed a government that remained receptive, responsive, sensitive, sensible, accountable, democratic and pragmatic – always placing students first. This was not capitulation but governance with its heart in the right place. Contrast this with UPA years.
During the Anna Hazare movement, the response featured large-scale arrests and the use of force. In June 2011, at Ramlila Maidan, Delhi Police carried out a midnight crackdown on sleeping supporters of Baba Ramdev. Among the injured was Rajbala, a 51-year-old woman who later died from her injuries. The Supreme Court strongly criticised that operation. Sedition and other serious charges were used against activists and supporters. One government met protest with dialogue and measured accountability; the other met it with midnight raids and cases that choked dissent.
Far from hubris, the Modi government chose receptiveness over dismissal and conversation over confrontation. It granted immediate permission for the protest at Jantar Mantar to Abhijit Dipke. Contrast this with the brutal crackdown on students and teachers in AAP-ruled Punjab during protests on legitimate issues. Even after the formal permission period ended students were still allowed to continue expressing themselves peacefully. The moment CJP organisers sought engagement, Union Minister JP Nadda and MoS PMO Jitendra Singh held three rounds of talks with their spokespersons.
They heard the three principal demands – resignation of the Education Minister, withdrawal of cases against peaceful protesters and compensation for families affected by student distress. By opening the door to dialogue with a non-traditional youth formation the government showed readiness to listen to voices outside conventional party channels. The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan provided a firm answer to the protesters’ central demand without prolonged hesitation and showed that the government walks the talk on accountability.
Parallel changes were introduced in the NTA and Education Ministry. In 2025-26 paper leaks and malpractices have already been recorded in several I.N.D.I.-governed states – the SSB Exam paper leak in Jammu & Kashmir (Congress-NC), Class 12 English paper leak in Himachal Pradesh (Congress), Class 10 Hindi and Science paper leak in Jharkhand (Congress-JMM), Class 12 Language, Class 10 Urdu paper leaks in Telangana (Congress), TNTEU B. Ed paper leak in Tamil Nadu (DMK- C ongress), AD O, Pharmacy paper irregularities and PSSB Group B exam malpractice in Punjab (AAP), PSC-26 exam irregularities in Kerala and SSLC and 2nd PUC paper leaks in Karnataka (Congress).
Each of these incidents has damaged the prospects of large numbers of students. A straightforward question follows. If the resignation of an Education Minister is the accepted standard of morality and accountability when examination controversies arise, will AAP, Congress and their allies apply the same standard in the states they govern? Or does “students first” apply only when the target is the Modi government? Sensitivity marked every stage. The government’s outreach to Sonam Wangchuk that helped bring his 26-day fast to an end demonstrated a willingness to value the life of even a most vocal critic.
Officials recognised the real suffering of families who had lost children to examination-related stress and the deep anxiety felt by lakhs of aspirants. Commitments on compensation and the withdrawal of FIRs across the country treated these issues as human concerns. But sensible calibrations also guided the concessions. Even as cases will be withdrawn, the government displayed zero tolerance for violence and for dangerous slogans such as “Parliament Ukhad Denge”.
Pragmatism completed the approach. Resolving the agitation through talks restored normalcy in the capital, reduced the security load on Delhi and prevented the protest from hardening into a prolonged crisis with possible national security dimensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained direct communication with the youth of India. On examination integrity he has spoken with clarity against paper leaks, calling them a serious threat to the nation’s future and emphasising a foolproof system. Since 2024 the government has enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to strengthen the legal framework against leaks and malpractice.
Fast-track courts have been announced to deliver swift justice and a high-powered committee under Nandan Nilekani will deliver technology driven reforms for error-free, leak-free exam papers. In this week even stronger legislation is expected that will provide the heaviest punishments and the quickest convictions for such crimes. These measures form part of a continuous effort to protect the credibility of national examinations. The government has shown it has no interest in shielding culprits – a sharp departure from earlier regimes.
On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have concentrated more on claiming political credit than on offering solutions. Rather than welcoming the peaceful outcome they have preferred to score petty points. Congress MP Imran Masood questioned Sonam Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast, accused him of striking a “personal deal” and dismissed him as “Anna Part 2.” Such language demeans a person who stood with the student cause. Wangchuk’s wife herself criticised Congress and Rahul Gandhi for insincere credit-seeking protests. It is worth recalling that while Wangchuk was on fast Gandhi was away on a foreign vacation and cancelled his students’ outreach programs in multiple cities.
He showed not an iota of remorse for NEET students in Karnataka who suffered due to Congress programmes. Competition among opposition parties – AAP, Congress and Samajwadi Party peaked as each tried to appear the sole champion of students while dodging deeper examination in their own ruled states. Reluctance to permit a full parliamentary discussion on paper leaks is noticeable. A serious debate would immediately raise questions about examination failures in states ruled by the opposition.
Hence, the opposition appears to put politics first and is evading discussion in parliament The government’s handling of the CJP protest has charted a different course: listen, engage, accept responsibility where it is due, offer practical assurances and keep the focus firmly on the future of India’s students. Students first. That is the distinction between governance that seeks solutions and opposition that seeks only advantage.
PS: With the Delhi leg of protests over, let us wait to see whether CJP friends will now keep their word and demand the immediate resignation of the Education Ministers of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir. Failure to do so may invite its own judgement from the mature and intelligent Gen Z.
(The writer is a national spokesperson of the BJP)