Against the backdrop of the nationwide student movement demanding accountability in India's examination system, a group of student activists in Ranchi organised a peaceful and constitutional protest on 20^th July, 2026. It was aimed at conveying solidarity and support to the ongoing nationwide protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan. The organisers clarified that, despite the use of the title "Cockroach" by some members, they are not officially associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). While the procession of 20^th July remained quite peaceful and constitutional, they are calling for another procession on 26^th July, 2026 continuing their campaign for examination reforms and institutional accountability.

Following is an exclusive interview between Vocal Jharkhand and one of  the prominent representatives of the activists. At the interviewee's request, their identity has been withheld and kept anonymous. Throughout this interview, they will be referred to as "The Spokesperson." The interview was recorded on 24^th July, 3:00 P.m.

Presenting
Exclusive Interview | Vocal Jharkhand in conversation with "The Spokesperson"

1.     Editorial Team: Are you affiliated with any party/organization/ideology or is the protest and procession been made in an individual capacity?

The Spokesperson: This is an independent student protest and no political ideology is involved.

Editorial Team(in follow-up): Does this student-led group find any confluences with the CJP and do they find their demands legitimate and for a social cause or is there a line between the two?

The Spokesperson: It’s not about lines being drawn. Our demands are quite similar to the CJP, wherein we are demanding a fair education system peacefully and constitutionally.

Editorial Team: There have been lots of political parties(mostly the Opposition) which participated at the protests of CJP at Jantar Mantar and conveyed their solidarity, which has amounted to a political narrative, is this politicization in your view legitimate or do you find yourselves refraining from the same?

The Spokesperson: We don’t speak on behalf of CJP. Our protest strictly sticks to reform, accountability and transparency of the education system. Thus we strictly refrain from any political leaning and affiliation. We call people from every background and political leaning and request them to join us as students and not as representatives of any political party. We won’t let the message be overshadowed by party politics. Education affects every house of the Nation regardless of their political opinion.


Editor’s Note: Adding up, the Spokesperson denied to give their opinion of potential politicization of the CJP protest at the Jantar Mantar.

2.     Editorial Team: The 20th July Ranchi protest not only drew localized attention but also had a National impact. Since the interview is being recorded on 24^th July, 3:15 P.m. and in the recent backdrop, Mr. Sonam Wangchuk broke his 26 days long fast after being assured by the representatives of the Government and Prime Minister Modi gave a public statement about the same. Do you feel after such substantial events, will there be any fundamental difference in the nature and demands of the protest which took place on 20^th July and which will take place on 26^th July?

The Spokesperson: The demands will mostly be the same on either days. We have 2 fundamental demands:
1. The resignation of Mr. Pradhan since during the reign of Mr. Pradhan, a number of examinations have been rigged or their papers have been leaked, not of Neet alone.
2. A compensation amount of Rs. 1 Crore to every household wherein a student committed suicides owing the incompetence of the NEET framework.

3.     Editorial Team: Since our discussion has touched upon politics, I'd like to broaden the conversation. Do you believe a change in  ministry alone can bring meaningful educational reforms, or is the deeper challenge rooted in society's mindset and institutional culture?

The Spokesperson: Well, to answer that a change in leadership won’t automatically guarantee the reform at once but it does marks a beginning. Resignation, in our opinion, is a framework of accountability and it will contribute to a better educational system. That being said, our topmost concern will be with the a fair outcome for students and not for individuals.

Editorial Team(in follow-up): So is the resignation of Mr. Pradhan solely an issue of accountability or of  a commencement of educational reform?

The Spokesperson: Both, to be specific. One of my acquaintance appeared in the NEET 2026 and it was their first attempt in it and when the news of leaks came out, they were so heartbroken and depressed for days. A very fundamental question arises in every aspirant’s mind at this point: Why are paper leaks and rigged examinations so common in one of the largest economies of the World and who is the person or office who should come out and take accountability. Aspirants at least expected a dialogue at this point but to aggravate, even that wasn’t provided. Well this is a democratic Nation and the accountability will thus begin from our own representatives. If a minister accepts responsibility for systemic failures, it sends a clear message that institutions cannot function without accountability. Equally important, it sets a precedent for the next person entrusted with the ministry to strengthen the educational framework and prevent such failures from recurring. Thus, I say that the resignation of Union Education Minister obviously fulfils either parameters: accountability and educational reforms.

4.     Editorial Team: Mr. Wangchuk ended his 25 days long fast on being reassured by the relevant treasury benches that the issue will be taken for dialogue, yet the CJP continues their strike at the Jantar Mantar. Do your still feel the urge to go for a mass protest on 26^th July?

The Spokesperson: We are very relieved that Mr. Wangchuk ended his fast and we wish him the pink of health. However, our march wasn’t focused on solely the hunger strike but encompasses concern for a broader systematic failure. Thus the march is justified in the demands. It will continue till accountability is brought about and a larger reform is brought about in the educational framework.


Editorial Team(in follow-up) : Do you feel that the accountability questions be raised on the ruling government as a whole and will a future constitutional change in the ruling party aid the framework in any manner?

The Spokesperson: Well, the Prime Minister is leader of the Cabinet Ministries as a whole. This implies that he has indirect powers and responsibilities to furnish a better system in every single aspect. Since this is the fact, the recent events of NEET paper leaks or even the ruthless behaviour of Delhi Police, directly under the superintendence of Union Government holds him responsible one or the other way.
Even after so much pressure, there has been no relevant discussion on the floor of the Parliament and the Prime Minister gave a message to the nation only last night. Thus he must be held accountable for his silence and ineffective control mechanisms.

Editor’s note: Adding up, the spokesperson talked of what they call “the ruthless behaviour” of the Police with the students who were exercising their constitutional rights alone and talked about despicable conditions over which tear gases were deployed.


Editorial Team(in follow-up) : Does that imply that in your opinion accountability mechanism must also extend to the PMO?

The Spokesperson: Our march isn’t essentially about deciding who should govern the Nation but yeah I agree that he must come up and hold accountability. The PM should be the one to initiate a positive dialogue. That being said, we strictly want to stay on the issue of education alone. We promise that we shall again rise if any another government in the future comes in and exploits.

5.     Editorial Team: Coming over to the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently announced stricter action against paper leaks and proposed stronger legal safeguards in his message. Even though you claim, that the response appeared quite late, do you find it as a silver lining which could essentially transform into a meaningful reform?

The Spokesperson: Yeah, obviously. The Prime Minister’s public statement, though late would amount to long term solutions. It shows that the demands of students are being paid heed to. That being said fast track courts alone wouldn’t be able to provide relevant solutions, in my opinion. These are post-damage mechanism. Our concerns are about preventive mechanism. We need to emphasize as to why did the paper leak? Long term reforms are what we are envisioning.

6.     Editorial Team: The group of Opposition announced few hours ago that they wont appreciate any legislations over educational reforms being discussed over the floor of the parliament unless and until the Union education minister resigns. Do you feel that this step of Opposition is justified?

The Spokesperson: I would answer to this without any specific opinion to the move of Opposition. We feel that dialogue is essentially important, but so is accountability. We welcome dialogue but equally emphasize on accountability.

Editorial Team(in follow-up): Again bringing up, since you talked about Parliament being the ultimate legislative organ, do you feel this move by Opposition would delay the reforms you are standing for?

The Spokesperson: I would refrain from answering and giving any opinion over the statement of Opposition.


7. Editorial Team: The 26th July protest has largely focused on national examinations. Do you intend to broaden the movement to address state-level concerns as well—particularly issues surrounding JPSC and other recruitment examinations in Jharkhand and lying under the office of Jharkhand government?

The Spokesperson: We express our support to the aspirants who are aggrieved by the state level examinations as well but this particular march, I feel, would be focused on National educational frameworks alone. We feel that diversifying into multiple demands would weaken the campaign and dilute the impacts expected. That being said, we promise to stand for the demands of State examination aspirants in the future. Whenever, dishonesty would be resorted in the framework of education, we shall rise peacefully and constitutionally.



8. Editorial Team: What is your final message to the protestors who are joining you on 26^th July, 2026?

The Spokesperson:

To every student who is joining us on 26th of July at Jaipal Singh Stadium at
8 A.m.
Thank you.

You can support the BJP and still agree with reforms in education, You can support the Congress and still disagree with us. This isn't about political parties, it's about protecting the  education system and rights given by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Your presence matters. We invite you to come not with anger, but with hope; not with hatred, but with courage.
Wear your white T-shirt, carry a flower, and let your discipline be your strength.

This march is about reminding ourselves and our country that education deserves accountability, transparency, and trust. Let's show that the youth of Jharkhand can stand together peacefully, responsibly, and with one voice. I'll see you all on 26th July.

Long Live The Revolution! 

Editorial Note

The views expressed in this interview are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Vocal Jharkhand. Vocal Jharkhand remains committed to independent, factual, and non-partisan journalism.