The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG examination paper leak concluded after emerging as one of the most closely watched public demonstrations of June and July 2026. What began as a student-centric campaign seeking accountability and transparency in the national examination system gradually evolved into a broader political mobilisation, culminating in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march and attracting the participation of politicians, activists, journalists, lawyers, farmer leaders and other public personalities from across the ideological spectrum.
As the agitation progressed, several well-known public figures visited the protest site to express solidarity with the movement and its leadership. Their participation sparked public debate as many of these personalities had previously been associated with political controversies, ideological disputes, legal proceedings or public criticism over their statements and activism. Their presence at the protest brought renewed attention not only to the NEET-UG issue but also to their respective public records and earlier controversies.
The course of the agitation highlighted how a movement initially centred on examination reforms gradually expanded into a broader political campaign. Alongside demands relating to the alleged examination irregularities, the protest became a platform where participants raised issues concerning governance, education policy, democratic institutions and political accountability. The movement culminated in a march towards Parliament, during which clashes broke out between protesters and the police.
The events documented during the course of the agitation illustrated the expanding profile of the CJP-led movement as prominent public figures from diverse backgrounds extended their support at different stages. Their participation became a defining feature of the protest, drawing sustained attention from political observers, media organisations and the wider public even after the demonstrations concluded.
This report compiles 11 major incidents from June and July 2026 involving politicians, activists, journalists, lawyers, farmer leaders, and other public personalities who extended support to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
The detailed 11 Incidents: Controversial Personalities Participating in CJP Protest (June 2026–July 2026), are given below.
1. Controversial Television Personality Raghu Ram Backed CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
Television producer and personality Raghu Ram visited Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to extend his personal support to the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest.
His public appearance at the protest comes amid continued public scrutiny over his personal views. Raghu Ram has drawn widespread controversy over remarks about women in which he claimed that women are the root cause of men’s physical and mental illness. He also stated that men would rather suffer heart attacks than open up to women.
The visit added Raghu Ram to the list of public personalities who have expressed support for the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.
2. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha at CJP Protest Amid Renewed Political Confrontation with Centre
A delegation of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) joined the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) in a joint protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
During the demonstration, the SKM accused the Central Government of launching a renewed attack on the farmers’ movement by linking it to the NewsClick FIR. The organisation announced plans to hold nationwide protests against the Central Government over the issue.
The development marked the participation of the farmers’ organisation in the ongoing CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar, where the protest expanded to include issues beyond the original demands related to the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
3. Controversial CPI(M) MP John Brittas Joined CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, extending his support to the ongoing agitation.
His participation drew public attention to his past political positions and legal interventions. John Brittas has previously faced public backlash and criticism from opponents, who have described his actions as anti national and anti Hindu.
Many have also pointed to his legislative initiatives concerning constitutional authorities and his remarks on national institutions, arguing that these undermine national integration.
4. Controversial Author Arundhati Roy Extended Support to CJP’s Protest
Author and social activist Arundhati Roy visited Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during its ongoing hunger strike seeking accountability over the NEET-UG examination paper leak.
Her participation in the protest drew renewed public attention to her past political positions and controversies. Many have described her views as anti-India and anti-Hindu, citing her 2010 speech on Kashmir in which she stated that the region was never an integral part of India.
The speech subsequently led to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor sanctioning her prosecution under anti-terror laws on allegations of promoting secessionism.
5. Controversial AAP MP Sanjay Singh Backed CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh visited Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to extend support to the student-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest and expressed solidarity with fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk over the issue of national examination paper leaks.
His participation in the protest drew attention amid continuing political scrutiny and ideological disagreements with his political opponents.
Political opponents have also criticised his past public statements, including his “Ram Ke Naam” remarks concerning religious politics. They have accused him of hurting religious sentiments and using anti-establishment rhetoric to build a narrative against the state.
6. Controversial TMC MP Mahua Moitra Joined CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in support of the student-led hunger strike. During the protest, she criticised the Union Education Minister over the NEET-UG paper leak.
Her participation in the protest drew renewed attention to earlier controversies surrounding her public statements. Reports and political opponents have described her as anti-India and anti-Hindu because of her political rhetoric.
They have cited her 2019 speech in Parliament, in which she argued that criticising the ruling government does not make a person anti-India, as well as the controversy over her 2022 remarks on Goddess Kali. Those remarks led to multiple police complaints and criticism from right-wing groups, which accused her of hurting Hindu religious sentiments.
7. Controversial Activist and Supreme Court Advocate Prashant Bhushan Joined CJP Protest
Supreme Court advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan joined the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, extending his support to the protest.
His participation drew renewed attention to his past activism and public controversies. Many have referred to his alleged association with early planning meetings involving Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Yogendra Yadav.
These alleged associations have attracted criticism from his opponents, who have accused him of supporting platforms that promote anti-national and anti-Hindu agendas and have linked such platforms to incidents of public unrest and communal violence.
8. Controversial RTI Activist Anjali Bhardwaj Extended Support to CJP Protest
RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj extended her support to the student-led paper leak demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Her participation in the protest drew political criticism over her association with anti-establishment platforms. many have pointed to her past criticism of independent constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission of India.
Political opponents have accused her of pursuing an anti-government and anti-nation agenda aimed at undermining public trust in national democratic institutions.
9. Controversial Political Activist Yogendra Yadav Joined CJP Protest at Jantar Mantar
Social activist and political analyst Yogendra Yadav visited Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and support activist Sonam Wangchuk during the ongoing indefinite hunger strike over national examination paper leaks.
His participation in the protest drew renewed attention to earlier controversies surrounding his activism. many have described his activities as anti-India and anti-government, referring to his alleged involvement in the investigation into the 2020 Delhi riots.
Reports have also cited a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Delhi Police, which alleged that Yadav delivered provocative speeches during the anti-CAA protests that instigated mobs. They contend that his participation in the CJP protest reflects a continued pattern of joining sensitive student-led agitations to promote anti-establishment sentiments against state institutions.
10. Controversial TMC MP and Journalist Sagarika Ghose Joined CJP Protest
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Sagarika Ghose joined the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, describing it as her duty to support the group’s 12-day hunger strike over the NEET-UG examination paper leak.
Her participation in the protest drew renewed attention to earlier controversies involving her social media activity. Many have referred to past instances in which she was accused of sharing misleading or manipulated videos on social media, which reportedly resulted in platform takedown notices.
Political opponents have also alleged that she has used her public platform to amplify anti-establishment propaganda and disseminate misleading narratives aimed at undermining state institutions.
11. Controversial Climate Activist Sonam Wangchuk Launched Indefinite Hunger Strike at CJP Protest
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and began an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak issue.
His participation in the protest drew criticism from right-wing commentators and many, who described his association with the CJP as part of what they termed an ongoing anti-national pattern.
Many have also referred to the September 2025 Ladakh statehood agitation led by Wangchuk, during which violent protests resulted in four deaths, more than 80 injuries, and the imposition of a curfew in Leh. They further cited his subsequent arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) on allegations of inciting the mob.
The incidents documented during June and July 2026 collectively illustrate how the CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar evolved beyond its initial focus on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. Over time, the movement witnessed the participation of several politicians, activists, journalists, lawyers, farmer representatives, and other public personalities, each adding new dimensions to the ongoing demonstration. Their presence transformed the protest into a broader public and political event that attracted nationwide attention.
Another noticeable trend was that the participation of these personalities revived public discussion surrounding their previous political positions, public statements, legal controversies, and ideological affiliations. In several instances, their appearance at the protest prompted renewed scrutiny from many and political opponents, who linked their involvement to earlier controversies that had attracted significant public debate.
Taken together, these developments reflect how major public protests can gradually evolve into larger political platforms involving individuals from diverse backgrounds and ideological positions. The sequence of events presented in this report documents the participation of eleven prominent personalities during the course of the CJP protest and records the issues associated with their involvement, providing a factual account of the developments witnessed during the protest period.
