Prayagraj, 25 July (HS): Following widespread indignation and the youth-led

Cockroach movement, thousands of students in Prayagraj staged a major protest

march. The NEET Paper Leak Controversy led to a large-scale rally. The

continuous protests over question paper leaks and exam irregularities are the

main focus. Protesters call for the immediate resignation of Union Education

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Condemnation of Police Action: The present march is being driven by outrage

over the recent alleged police baton charge (lathi-charge) on student

demonstrators at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Local Issues: Student organizations also expressed concerns over local test

schedules, TGT/PGT recruiting openings, and the Prayagraj Development

Authority's (PDA) city-wide crackdown on illicit coaching facilities and

libraries.

Key Locations & March Route

Pathar Girjaghar (All Saint’s Cathedral Church): Hundreds of students

started gathering in the Civil Lines area.

Subhash Chauraha: Despite thick police barricades, the massive throng

successfully surged out the designated protest areas and stormed Subhash

Chauraha, conducting a back-and-forth procession along Mahatma Gandhi Marg.

The final goal of the march is to submit their formal memorandum to the

District Magistrate (DM) / Collectorate Office.

Heavy Rainfall: Despite the city's constant heavy downpours, the student

mass continues on the streets, anchored by big tarpaulins and umbrellas.

Security Clampdown: The district administration has deployed thousands of

security personnel, transforming (the Collectorate area) into a fortress.

Traffic Diversions: Significant traffic rerouting is underway across Civil

Lines Mahatma Gandhi Marg to alleviate public congestion.

On Saturday, thousands gathered in Prayagraj to march toward the District

Magistrate (DM) office. Protests organized in solidarity with the youth-led

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are part of an expanding national movement seeking

responsibility for recent exam violations.

Core Demands: The immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra

Pradhan in response to NEET-UG test paper leaks, as well as the implementation

of a transparent recruiting procedure.

Generation-Z students expressed their outrage through sarcastic and artistic

expressions. Some dressed with national flags, while others dressed up as real

cockroaches to represent systemic resiliency and criticize the administration.

Slogans and Banners: Students carried the Constitution and displayed banners

with slogans such as We want jobs. A viral poster criticized the

minister's unwillingness to stand down, saying, Is it a resignation or

Nag Mani (mythical serpent gem), you're not giving it!

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi