22 July,2026 12:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Ashutosh Ranka claimed the ongoing agitation had grown into one of the country`s largest youth movements. Pic/PTI
Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) representative Ashutosh Ranka on Wednesday warned the Centre that the youth-led agitation over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak would intensify if the government failed to address the protesters' demands, claiming that the July 20 demonstration was only a "trailer" and that larger protests could follow.
Ranka's remarks came as the Opposition prepared to stage another protest outside Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and raising concerns over alleged examination irregularities and the police action against student protesters.
Speaking to ANI, Ranka claimed the ongoing agitation had grown into one of the country's largest youth movements and warned that significantly more protesters could gather in the national capital if the government did not respond.
"This is the biggest movement in India's post-independence history... We have said this very clearly: what happened on 20th was a trailer. If the Govt doesn't agree, millions more will come to Delhi because this time we will not hold back and stay silent... The Govt really needs to get its act together; otherwise, the Youth of this country is going to take them down very badly," he said.
The statements reflect the CJP's position. The Centre has not responded to these specific remarks.
Rejecting allegations that the demonstrations were violent, Ranka maintained that the July 20 march was peaceful and blamed the clashes on the police response.
"A narrative is trying to be built that we will not be peaceful, but we are. The march on 20th was peaceful too but there was chaos only at the point where Police unleashed brutality and beat up students. The youth is sitting here peacefully for 31 days because we follow the principles of Gandhi and Ambedkar," he said.
Delhi Police has maintained that protesters violated prohibitory orders, turned aggressive and engaged in violence, leading to clashes with security personnel. Multiple FIRs have since been registered in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
Ranka also said the protest would continue until the government assured that no further criminal cases would be registered against demonstrators.
"We have placed a very clear demand and Abhijeet Dipke had spoken about it. We will not led any kind of FIR or future FIR be lodged against any protester; the protest won't end without that," he said.
He added that the movement's leadership was prepared to face legal action.
"As far as our team's leadership is concerned, we are not scared of any FIR, we are ready to be arrested under UAPA and NSA from day 1. Jail is a small price to pay for our fight," Ranka said.
Ranka appealed to political parties across the spectrum to support the agitation, saying the movement was above partisan politics.
"Be it any political party, even if they are people from the BJP, they should come together because this is a huge movement and the demand is genuine. We welcome all of them," he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
