• Who is Abhijeet Dipke of Cockroach Janata Party? Why did Joseph Vijay, Sonam Wangchuk, Punjab Farmers, Abdullah’s join Jantar Mantar protests? Why do the Police crackdown on protestors? Is there a U.S. angle? Are falling education spends responsible? 

Today, Jantar Mantar is more associated with Protests rather than with being an Observatory built by Jaipur Rulers in the 18th century. The latest protest being by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

Initially, protestors targeted education Minister D Pradhan and later Modi. Pradhan rightly so.

One, leakage of the NEET-UGC examination paper. It earlier took place in 2024 in the state of Bihar. Two, the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 (Regulations) was notified on January 13 has created resentment within the General Category (GC) part of the Hindu community. This was stayed by the Supreme Court.  Three, “Irregularities in the Onscreen Marking System for the Central Board of Secondary Education Class XII results.” Business Standard Editorial July 22. 

BS adds, “Although NEET exams were held without a glitch later and those responsible arrested, there is scant assurance from the government that these problems will not recur.”

Actually, BJP supporters were gunning for Pradhan after UGC guidelines were notified in early 2026. For reasons unknown, Pradhan stayed on. This gave the Opposition and an unknown CJP a chance to target the BJP. Any politician shall tell you that the government will not succumb to such demands. However, the education ministry needs a change sooner than later.

This article explores the background and interests of various players who joined the protest. Politics has to be looked at in an integrated way. It is rarely limited to the eventual point of action i.e. Jantar Mantar.

Ordinary mortals have to take police permission before organizing a public protest. Indian Express tells why permission needed As per TOI, CJP did not seek or get police permission for this march.

About Abhijet Dipke

According to this MSN report, “Abhijeet Dipke was born in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He completed his undergraduate degree in journalism in Pune, where he first engaged with media ethics, political reporting and public communication. He later moved to the United States and earned a Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University, studying how messaging shapes public perception in the digital age. Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke volunteered with the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) social media team.” Also TOI report To read Dipke Boston University Interview

This ThePrint report implies that Dipke is a Dalit. A Hindustan Times report says Dipke arrived in Delhi flaunting a biography of Dr Ambedkar. Kejriwal has realized that Bhagat Singh and Ambedkar pictures do not always deliver victory at the polls. Read  Dalits were the maximum number of scholars in pre British India

1. Dipke’s family must be well off for them to send their son to the U.S.

2. Did he go on a Central or State government Scholarship to study in the U.S. Since he started U.S. education post 2023, it is during tenure of BJP government.

3. Between 2020 and 2023 he volunteered with the AAP social media team so his CJP might have their blessings. During period of AAP volunteering, the party fought elections in Goa, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Gujarat and U.P.

A search indicates, he did his Masters from 2023-2025. In 2025-26 he might have opted for OPT (Optional Practical Training). “Recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations have ended open-ended stays (Duration of Status).” TOI

A father whose daughter studied in Boston adds, “New Visa Regulations - DHS has implemented significant changes to F-1 visa and OPT timelines, including the shift from 'duration of status' (DS) to fixed four-year admission periods. For the most current transition policies and to track your student record, consult the Study in the States portal. How to Apply Request I-20: Notify your university's Designated School Official (DSO) that you intend to apply for OPT. They will issue a new I-20 recommending OPT. File I-765: Submit Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) online via USCIS. Wait for EAD: Once approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. You cannot begin working until the start date printed on your EAD card.”

It will be interesting to know if Dipke has obtained EAD. The answer will let India know if he received any extraordinary support from the U.S. government.

Probably, in an attempt to resurrect their political careers Arvind Kejriwal and C Azad visited CJP protest site. Significantly, Mayavati stayed away.  

Players who joined protests for their own reasons were – 

1. Abdullah from Srinagar

Father and Son are on a non-stop campaign asking for Statehood for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. CJP protest give them a chance of reiterating the point.

They are probably aware that the campaign for an independent state of Jammu is gathering steam thus restoration of statehood to J&K to be done at the earliest.

2. Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay

Vijay Sir wants NEET to be scrapped and education moved from the Concurrent to the State List. Source TOI

Vijay needs to be told that education was moved to the Concurrent List by Mrs Indira Gandhi and during the Emergency. A chat with Rahul G on this might help.

NEET was introduced on a Supreme Court Directive. The DMK and TVK oppose NEET. They should file a petition in the Supreme Court. This is not to protect the government from being unable to prevent leakages in NEET exams. For details read FAQ Why Tamil Nadu government opposes NEET

Those protesting against the failure of the education system must know that education is managed essentially by the state government whilst higher education is managed by the Centre significantly. One of reasons for present state is that all political parties have increased the % of Reservations to high levels leaving fewer seats. Read Why Indian students go the U.S. to study & Reservations in India

3. Punjab Farmers and Akali Dal

According to a report farm products that are at the centre of the dispute, “Reportedly include dried distillers’ grains (DDGs) — a byproduct of ethanol production commonly used as livestock feed — along with red sorghum, soybean oil, tree nuts, and fresh and processed fruits.” Source Newsminute

Punjab is a negligible producer of these products. It seems Punjabi farmers have appointed themselves as the sole guardians of all Indian farmers.

Read   Why Punjab Farmers are Protesting

There is a political angle. Most farmers in Punjab are Jaat Sikhs. They have traditionally been the supporters of the Akali Dal that won 3 out of 122 seats in  2022 Assembly polls. Elections in Punjab are due soon. It might be perceived that protests are a move to regain the support of Jaat Sikhs, a community that controls the SGPC, indirectly the state’s Gurudwaras and is powerful in state politics. 

4. Sonam Wangchuk

Sonam W became a darling of the liberals after he was arrested around September 2025 for his alleged role in sparking violent protests in Leh where demonstrators were demanding statehood etc.

In 2023 too he had gone in fast at Leh for safeguarding Ladakh etc. Read  Why did Sonam W go on a five day fast

Then Wangchuk wanted to hold a protest at Khardungla Pass. This Pass is the road taken to reach Siachen Base Camp. If 1,000 protestors blocked the road, a la Shaheen Bagh, it might prevent supplies to the Indian Army camps in the region esp. Siachen. If that happened, the Chinese Pakistan combine could, taking advantage of the blockage, launch a lethal attack on Siachen. If Siachen falls the Chinese would be at the foothills of the Khardungla Pass i.e. the gateway to Leh. (see pic 9 of album)

Do recall what Brig Anil Gupta (retd) wrote in 2019, “Sheikh Abdullah created another Muslim majority district by dividing the Ladakh region on religious lines in order to counter the growing influence of the Buddhists in the region who had been opposed to inclusion of Ladakh with Kashmir during the administrative reorganisation of the state by the Sheikh and his party National Conference.”

Did you hear Wangchuk going on a fast for separation of Ladakh from J&K?

Another important reason for protest could be the Centre’s recent decision to appoint Autonomous Hill Councils for every district of Ladakh. Currently, there are two hill councils for Leh (1995) and Kargil (2003). Leh and Kargil leaders thought they could indirectly control regions through these councils. However, now there is one Council for one district means decentralization of power.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra

They made a grand entry by taking part of protests outside PM Modi residence. Rahul got his photo op and chance to show the world he is the only national leader of the opposition.

The usuals like Shabhana Azmi and Prakash Raj too joined the protest.

U.S.A. angle!

Notwithstanding President Trump’s frequent praise of PM Modi cracks in the relationship are visible.

India bought Russian Oil all through, is not buying enough U.S. weapons and agricultural products, negotiating hard on the Free Trade Agreement, exporting missiles and building bridges with countries as diverse as Cyprus and Greece (target Turkey), UAE, Philippines, Australia, Canada and Indonesia. There might be disagreements that are not in public domain.

U.S. wants a pliable government that allows unhindered access to U.S. farm products and Big Tech companies. The biggest market for AI companies is India.  

Who is funding the protests?

Jantar Mantar is attracting youngsters from various parts. They need to stay somewhere and be give food. Who is funding?

Are these protests against the proposed tightening of FCRA rules that many recipient organizations are protesting?

Why do the Police crackdown on innocent protestors?

The job of the police anywhere in the world is to maintain law and order. The usual standard operating procedure in India is lathi charge, tear gas and then fire.

I earlier wrote, when faced with violent protestors who were damaging public property, should the police be passive bystanders and run for their lives, as they did in August 2012 during the Azad Maidan protests and violence, or take appropriate action? “It was sheer luck that we were able to rescue the policemen from the vans. The mob had locked them in and was not allowing them to come out,” a senior police officer told The Hindu about mob violence in August 2012.

When faced with the rule of law, protestors first approached the Supreme Court and then the Delhi High Court with accusations. If police are wrong punish the guilty, but protestors are aggressive and then play victim card/approach Courts.

Falling Spending on Education as a % of GDP?

Udit Mishra wrote in the Indian Express, “The data show that the Education Ministry’s share in the Union Budget fell from 4.6% in 2013-14 (the last year that the Congress-led UPA government was in power) to 2.5% in 2025-26.”

One, India’s GDP has grown since 2013-14 so looking at percentages may be misleading. Wish author had given actual spends. Two, one must look at Centre and State spends, not Centre alone. 

Mishra wrote, “The data on the other two ministries provide context by showing other sectors where people often demand higher allocation (health) and which represent the growth model of the Modi era (roads and highways).”

Indians must know that health is a State subject, with certain exceptions while the Centre has a role to play in Highways. Read India needs a Masterclass on which government is responsible for what

Look at Budget in an integrated way, do not cherry pick spends. This is not to say that education spending should not be reviewed.

The problem is that since 2013, Congress and BJP have increased spending on Freebies at the Centre and State levels. Where do resources come from?

I am not saying all that Modi government is doing right but violent protests like these only hurt the Opposition because in today’s uncertain times the people of India want peace and stability.

The purpose of this article is to provoke thought and not cast aspersions on any individual, political party, country or organization. Love.

Also read (I could not do a forensic audit of the footage shown in tweets on X)

1. Tweet in which youngster says Modi should be shot dead    

2. Protestors drag a female journalist  

3. Actor N Shah on protests

4. Jantar Mantar crackdown – Probably, some want India to follow the footsteps of Nepal and Bangladesh who were rocked by supposedly Gen Z protests