NEET protest anger may soon move beyond Pradhan resignation demand, warns CJP

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka on Saturday warned that public anger over the NEET controversy could soon extend beyond demands for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, saying the government's delayed response had intensified nationwide protests and fuelled wider public discontent.

In an interview with a national TV channel, Ranka described the situation as a "ticking time bomb", claiming the protests had spread across the country and that mounting frustration was increasingly being directed at the Central government.

"This is a ticking thing. This is not something that can go on for weeks and months because there are protests happening all over the country," Ranka said.

"The longer the government waits, the greater the anger and frustration become. Increasingly, that public discontent is being directed at the Prime Minister," he said, adding, "Very soon, this may not even remain limited to Mr Pradhan."

Ranka said protesters were demanding not only Pradhan's resignation but also accountability for the alleged lapses, compensation for families affected by the NEET controversy, and the withdrawal of criminal cases filed against protesters.

He claimed that during talks with government representatives, there was an in-principle agreement on the demands for compensation and withdrawal of cases. However, he maintained that the demand for the Education Minister's resignation remained non-negotiable.

According to Ranka, the government delegation did not dismiss the possibility of Pradhan stepping down and indicated that the issue would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Questioning the government's handling of the controversy, Ranka criticised Prime Minister Modi's recent remarks on taking proactive action against paper leaks, arguing that the response came far too late.

"The Prime Minister had to wait for 45 days after the first protest and nearly two months after the NEET paper leak before becoming proactive," he said.

Ranka asserted that while protesters wanted long-term structural reforms to restore credibility in the examination system, meaningful discussions on reforms could not take place as long as, in their view, the minister heading the Education Ministry continued in office.

He further claimed that the movement had outgrown the CJP, with demonstrations now taking place across the country and public anger increasingly directed at the government over its handling of the NEET controversy.