Honour your promise: CJP demands release of detained NEET-UG student protesters

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jul 27, 2026: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday demanded the immediate release of students and other protesters allegedly detained during the nationwide agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, urging the Centre to honour its commitment that no punitive action would be taken against demonstrators.

In a statement posted on X, CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had received reports of students and protesters being detained, arrested, or otherwise targeted by state agencies, particularly in Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar.

The appeal comes two days after the CJP suspended its nationwide protest following the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an agreement reached with the Centre after talks with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

Under the agreement, the government had assured the CJP that police cases against protesters would be withdrawn, no fresh cases would be filed, and a written assurance would be issued by July 28.

Calling on the Centre to act immediately, Das said the government must ensure the release of those detained and prevent any coercive or retaliatory action against protesters across the country.

The CJP also demanded the withdrawal of all FIRs registered against demonstrators and reminded the government of its promise to provide a written guarantee by Tuesday.

"The Government of India is also reminded of its commitment to furnish us the written guarantee in this regard by tomorrow," the statement said, warning that any deviation from the assurances would amount to "a breach of trust" with both the CJP and the lakhs of students who chose dialogue over continued protests.

The party said its legal team was coordinating with lawyers in the affected states to secure the release of detained students and extend legal assistance wherever required.

"To the young protestors we say, hold on. We are with you," the statement added, while assuring that the organisation would continue monitoring the situation nationwide.

The statement follows reports from several states that students who participated in protests over the NEET-UG paper leak have been detained or booked in criminal cases. In Bihar, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has also demanded the immediate release of arrested students and warned of a statewide agitation if they are not freed.

The nationwide protests erupted after the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination over allegations of a paper leak. Led by the CJP, thousands of students staged demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding examination reforms, greater accountability, and the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The agitation reached its peak during the "Sansad Chalo" march towards Parliament, where clashes broke out between protesters and Delhi Police. The protests were suspended on July 25 after the Centre accepted several key demands, including Pradhan’s resignation, withdrawal of cases against protesters, compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the controversy, and discussions on broader examination reforms.