19 June,2026 12:29 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke. Pic/PTI
Ahead of a proposed student protest at Jantar Mantar, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide financial assistance to families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid examination-related controversies and renewed his demand for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The appeal comes before a planned demonstration by students and young professionals in the national capital on June 20, where the organisation intends to intensify its campaign over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests.
In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Dipke said the country was facing a serious crisis affecting students and their mental well-being.
"I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, to bring your urgent attention to an escalating crisis that threatens the very future of our nation - the lives and mental well-being of our young students," he said.
Abhijeet Dipke claimed that 11 students had died by suicide in recent weeks, including five deaths in the previous 48 hours. He alleged that uncertainty surrounding examination-related issues and the possibility of re-examinations had added to the stress faced by students.
According to him, the situation has created anxiety among aspirants preparing for competitive examinations and their families.
The CJP founder urged the Centre to provide a compensation package of Rs 1 crore to the families of students who allegedly died by suicide.
He argued that many families had invested substantial resources, including educational loans, to support their children's academic ambitions.
"Having lost the very children they poured their life savings into educating, these families have been left entirely destitute," Dipke wrote.
Demanding financial assistance, he said the compensation would help families cope with the impact of what he described as a crisis linked to examination irregularities and paper leak allegations.
Dipke also reiterated his demand for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, saying students were seeking accountability from those responsible for the education system.
"The Cockroach Janta Party has been demanding the resignation of the education minister for the past month and has been protesting across the country for our demands. All that we students want is to see some accountability for the loss of lives," he said.
He maintained that holding leadership accountable would help restore confidence among students and parents.
"Therefore, we respectfully request you to sack the education minister. He is serving at your pleasure, and the buck stops with the prime minister," Dipke said.
He further argued that taking action would demonstrate the government's commitment to accountability and reform.
Apart from seeking compensation and accountability, Dipke called for broader reforms aimed at protecting students and addressing concerns about examination management.
He urged the government to prioritise student mental health and introduce structural changes to prevent future controversies.
He said immediate intervention was necessary to ensure that students did not continue to suffer from uncertainty and academic stress.
"Students from all across India are assembling at Jantar Mantar, 20th June onwards, to raise our demand. We hope your government listens to the voice of India's future," he added.
The June 20 gathering will be the second major mobilisation organised by CJP this month.
On June 6, hundreds of students and young professionals assembled at Jantar Mantar following a call by Dipke, demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.
Following that protest, the organisation expanded its campaign to several cities and continued raising concerns about paper leak allegations and examination-related controversies.
The planned demonstration on Friday is expected to focus on student welfare, examination reforms and demands for greater accountability within the education system.
