21 July,2026 06:52 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Sharad Pawar (centre) speaks to CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke (left) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Tuesday. PIC/PTI
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and his daughter and Member of Parliament (MP) Supriya Sule on Tuesday visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is continuing its agitation over the National Eligibility Entrance Exam Test (Undergraduate) paper leak.
The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) has extended its support to the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, news agency ANI reported.
Sharing a post on X, Pawar wrote, "In the backdrop of the paper leak in the NEET exam, students have staged a hunger strike and protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The treatment meted out to the students who were fighting for their just demands yesterday is unworthy of democratic values. Today, I visited the protest site, met with the students, inquired about those injured during the agitation, and also learned in detail about their demands."
He urged the Centre to "sensitively consider the demands" and take appropriate action.
"The Indian Constitution has provided protection to the rights and entitlements of every citizen of the country, and the government and administration are accountable to the people. Therefore, instead of suppressing the students and citizens who are protesting peacefully for their demands, the government should sensitively consider their demands and take appropriate action by duly noting them," added the veteran politician.
Earlier in the day, Advocate Amol Matele, the city president of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), led a protest outside the gates of Mumbai University. The party alleged that police detained him and other youth wing leaders during the demonstration.
Condemning the police action against the CJP protest on Monday and expressing support for the students' demands, the NCP (SCP) also staged a protest in Mumbai.
In a statement, the party said, "The NEET paper leaked, causing loss to lakhs of students, driving them into the abyss of despair, and leading as many as 21 aspiring doctors to end their lives. Far from taking moral responsibility for this incident, the treatment meted out by the NDA government and administration to education expert and environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, who was fasting at Jantar Mantar for students' rights, along with the aggrieved students, is one that would shame even a tyrant."
"In protest against the ruthless, irresponsible, and insensitive 'NDA' government that toys with students' futures, suppresses their fight for justice, and deliberately ignores their demands, and in support of the students, the party's youth state president Mahbub Sheikh, student wing state president Sunil Gavhane, and Mumbai OBC cell president Sachin Narkar led an intense agitation in Mumbai. On this occasion, a large number of the party's other office-bearers and workers were present," the party added.
On Monday, the CJP's 'Sansad March' protest was met with an alleged lathi-charge by Delhi Police, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited RML Hospital and met the injured protesters.
Nadda also met a delegation of the CJP, which submitted its demands to the government on Monday.
(With ANI inputs)
