Sonam Wangchuk Backs Cockroach Janta Party NEET Protest — Delhi Rally Planned

Sonam Wangchuk, the celebrated education reform advocate from Ladakh, has thrown his weight behind the Cockroach Janta Party's ongoing campaign demanding a thorough investigation into irregularities in the NEET undergraduate entrance exam and the CBSE Class 10 mathematics paper leak. The alliance signals a significant escalation in the political pressure surrounding the controversy that has disrupted the academic futures of lakhs of students across India.

Wangchuk Endorses the Protest Call

Wangchuk confirmed his support through a video message posted on Instagram on Friday, telling his followers that the timing of the protest aligned with a broader demand for accountability in India's education system. "If not now, when?" he said in the post, a phrase that quickly circulated among student groups and opposition supporters. His involvement marks a notable shift from his usual focus on environmental and regional autonomy issues in Ladakh.

The Cockroach Janta Party, a smaller political formation that has positioned itself on anti-corruption and education reform platforms, welcomed Wangchuk's backing. Party leader Kiran Bedi, speaking from the party's Delhi office in Connaught Place, said Wangchuk's reputation for principled advocacy lent credibility to their demands. The party has been collecting signatures for a formal petition since June, claiming they have gathered over 3 lakh responses from affected students and parents.

The NEET and CBSE Controversies Explained

The NEET-UG exam, conducted in May, became the subject of nationwide outrage after reports emerged of question paper leaks, answer key tampering, and suspected manipulation of results at multiple centres. The National Testing Agency, which administers the exam, acknowledged that irregularities occurred at centres in Ranchi, Godda, and several cities in Gujarat. The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed charges against 19 individuals in connection with the leaks.

Separately, the CBSE Class 10 mathematics paper reportedly circulated on social media platforms hours before the examination was scheduled to begin in some regions. The education ministry ordered a separate investigation, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirming in Parliament that 15 schools in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were under scrutiny.

Student Reactions and Academic Disruption

The combined impact of both controversies has left nearly 23 lakh NEET candidates and 18.7 lakh CBSE Class 10 students in limbo. Several high courts are currently hearing petitions filed by student unions demanding fresh examinations or a complete re-evaluation process. In Jaipur, Chennai, and Patna, student demonstrations have been held outside regional education board offices since late June.

Parents have also organised themselves into informal groups, with one such collective in Gurugram reporting membership of over 2,000 families as of last week. Many say they cannot plan for their children's futures without clarity on whether they need to prepare for re-examinations or can proceed with current scores.

Political Fallout and Government Response

The government has maintained that isolated incidents of cheating do not invalidate the examinations for the vast majority of candidates. Pradhan stated in a press conference that the pass percentage of 56.5% for NEET remained within historical norms and that the affected cohort represented a fraction of total test-takers. However, opposition parties have seized on the issue, with the Congress party organising a protest march in Delhi on July 8 and demanding the education minister's resignation.

The Cockroach Janta Party has called for a parliamentary debate and the establishment of a joint select committee to review the National Testing Agency's functioning. Party representatives submitted a letter to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General on Monday, requesting time to raise the matter during the upcoming monsoon session.

What Comes Next

The monsoon Parliament session begins on July 22, and the education controversy is expected to dominate legislative proceedings. The Cockroach Janta Party has announced plans for a larger protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on July 15, which Wangchuk indicated he may attend in person. The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear petitions related to NEET on July 18, with a ruling that could force the government to reorder examination schedules ahead of the current academic year.

For students and families, the next three weeks will determine whether re-examinations are ordered and how counselling processes for medical college admissions will proceed. Parents groups have urged both the government and opposition to set aside political point-scoring and deliver a clear resolution before August.