Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday backed the ongoing student-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged competitive examination paper leaks and extended support to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s indefinite hunger strike. Addressing protesters, he accused the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of the country’s examination system and warned that public anger was continuing to grow.
Kejriwal demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over repeated examination controversies and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appoint Sonam Wangchuk as the country’s next Education Minister. He said Wangchuk’s work in education and his ongoing protest reflected a commitment to the interests of students across the country.
Drawing parallels with the 2011 India Against Corruption movement, Kejriwal warned that governments which ignore public sentiment ultimately face political consequences. He said the Centre risked a “2014-like fate” if it continued to overlook the demands of students and the rapidly expanding “Cockroach” movement against exam paper leaks and unemployment.
Echoes of the 2011 Anti-Corruption Movement
Drawing comparisons with the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement, Kejriwal said the atmosphere at Jantar Mantar reminded him of the protests that began there in April 2011 and eventually reshaped India’s political landscape.
“While coming here today, I was reminded of April 4, 2011, when I sat at this very place with Anna Hazare during the anti-corruption movement,” Kejriwal said. “Three years later, that government lost power because it failed to listen and allowed arrogance to overtake accountability.”
According to Kejriwal, the Centre risks repeating the mistakes of the previous government if it continues to ignore widespread concerns over recurring examination paper leaks. Referring to controversies surrounding competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG paper leak, he accused the government of failing to reassure students that the integrity of the examination system would be protected.
“Every year, exam papers get leaked and youth pay the price. When the NEET paper leaked, 20 students committed suicide, yet the government took no measures to assure anyone that leaks wouldn’t recur,” he said.
AAP leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also joined Kejriwal at the protest site and reiterated the party’s support for the students’ demands.
Kejriwal Proposes Sonam Wangchuk as Education Minister
In one of the most striking announcements of the day, Kejriwal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with Sonam Wangchuk, describing the Ladakh-based reformer as someone capable of rebuilding public confidence in India’s education system.
“I extend a proposal—Dharmendra Pradhan should resign, but make Sonam Wangchuk the Education Minister of the country,” Kejriwal said while addressing the gathering.
Wangchuk, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, has emerged as one of the principal faces of the ongoing movement against examination irregularities. Praising his work in education and public service, Kejriwal said Wangchuk was fighting not for personal or political gain but for the future of millions of students.
“I urge the Prime Minister and the country’s 1.4 billion citizens to desire that Sonam Wangchuk be appointed as the education minister,” he added.
The Rise of the ‘Cockroach’ Movement
Kejriwal’s remarks come as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement continues to gain momentum across the country. What began on May 16, 2026, as a satirical online campaign founded by political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke has evolved into a nationwide youth movement demanding structural reforms in India’s competitive examination system.
The movement traces its origins to controversial remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing, in which unemployed youth and online activists were reportedly described as “cockroaches” and “parasites of society.” Although the Chief Justice later clarified his remarks, the label was quickly embraced by protesting students, who transformed it into a symbol of resistance.
Since late June, thousands of aspirants wearing cockroach masks and carrying flowers have gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, comprehensive examination reforms, and the enactment of a Right to Employment law.
Kapil Sibal Appeals to Wangchuk to End His Fast
Amid growing concerns over Sonam Wangchuk’s deteriorating health, Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal publicly appealed to the activist to end his indefinite hunger strike.
Addressing a press conference, Sibal expressed solidarity with Wangchuk’s cause but questioned the wisdom of risking his life when the government had shown little willingness to engage with the protesters.
“You are on a fast and we are with you. But if the government is not going to listen to you, why should you sacrifice your life?” Sibal said. “We still have many more battles to fight. We have to continue our struggle on many issues, and we need you. We need people like you… We need you to remain healthy for the long, structural battles ahead.”
Sibal also contrasted the present situation with the Anna Hazare movement in 2011, arguing that the then government at least engaged in dialogue with protesters because governments are expected to listen to public sentiment. He revealed that he had also spoken to Wangchuk’s wife, Gitanjali Angmo, to personally convey his concerns.
Opposition Leaders and Public Figures Rally Behind the Protest
The agitation at Jantar Mantar has increasingly become a rallying point for opposition leaders, members of the legal fraternity and prominent cultural personalities.
Alongside Kejriwal and Saurabh Bharadwaj, former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela visited the protest site to express solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also publicly extended his support, while former Patna High Court judge Justice Anjana Prakash joined several Supreme Court lawyers in backing the students’ demands. Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav, along with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, have also voiced support for the movement.
The protest has similarly attracted support from several prominent voices in cinema and literature. Actress Swara Bhasker visited Jantar Mantar to stand alongside Wangchuk and CJP organiser Abhijeet Dipke, while veteran actor Shabana Azmi praised Wangchuk’s commitment and urged him to preserve his health for the long struggle ahead.
Actor Omi Vaidya released a video referencing the iconic 3 Idiots character Phunsukh Wangdu, inspired by Wangchuk, saying he did not want the reformer to die. Actress Soni Razdan shared an emotional poem asking Wangchuk to “live to fight another day,” while Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Zeenat Aman and Abhay Deol jointly appealed to the Centre to initiate dialogue with the protesting students. Author Arundhati Roy also joined a group of writers urging Wangchuk to transform the movement into a sustained campaign by ending his fast.
Wangchuk’s Health Remains Critical
Concerns over Wangchuk’s health have intensified as his hunger strike entered its eighteenth day. According to Dr. Satish Lamba, who heads the medical team monitoring the activist, Wangchuk has lost more than nine kilograms and now weighs 56.9 kg. Doctors have warned that his body has entered the second critical phase of prolonged starvation.
The seriousness of his condition prompted intervention by the Delhi High Court. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that “the life of every citizen is precious” and directed authorities to ensure daily medical monitoring while providing immediate treatment whenever required.
Despite repeated appeals from political leaders, legal experts, public intellectuals and members of the film fraternity, Wangchuk has refused to call off his fast. In a video message, he said ending the protest without a concrete response from the government would weaken the momentum of the movement. Instead, he urged supporters to strengthen the Cockroach Janta Party’s planned “Chalo Sansad” march on July 20, coinciding with the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
