‘If Modi won’t sack Dharmendra Pradhan, he is responsible too’: Abhijeet Dipke to Express

5 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 18, 2026 09:43 PM IST

Asked why the party had broadened its demand from Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation to seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation, Dipke said the government's response to the protest had prompted the change. (Express Photo/Enhanced using AI)

Reported by Srirupa Goswami

A movement that began over exam paper leaks now has the Prime Minister in its sights.

The Cockroach Janta Party escalated its standoff with the Centre on Saturday, widening its demand from the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to that of Narendra Modi himself — a sharp turn that came within hours of Delhi Police removing activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar and admitting him to Safdarjung Hospital.

In an interview with The Indian Express, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke framed the detention as proof of what his party has alleged all along: that the government is not addressing a paper-leak crisis so much as trying to silence those protesting it.

The development comes after Delhi Police removed Wangchuk from the protest site on the 21st day of his hunger strike, saying the move was carried out on the directions of the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts because of his deteriorating health condition. The police appealed to protesters to vacate Jantar Mantar peacefully.

‘Modi is also responsible’

Asked why the party had broadened its demand from Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation to seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation, Dipke said the government’s response to the protest had prompted the change.

“We thought that Prime Minister would sack Dharmendra Pradhan, but clearly instead of sacking him, they forcibly dragged Sonam Wangchuk, they attacked students. Now it is very clear Narendra Modi doesn’t want to sack Dharmendra Pradhan, so he is also responsible for the death of more than 20 students and he is a dictatorial person, and that is why we will demand his resignation.”

Story continues below this ad

The Cockroach Janta Party has been leading protests at Jantar Mantar since June 28, demanding examination reforms and Pradhan’s resignation over repeated paper leak allegations.

Ink attack ‘shows they are scared’

During the protest on Saturday, Dipke was also targeted in an ink attack.

Asked about the incident, he said he viewed it as an indication that the movement was making an impact.

“Someone just put ink on me. I don’t know why they are so scared. But I would say, ink is a sign of bravery, and a sign of how successful this movement has been despite all the attempts.”

He added, “You can see there are thousands of people here. They took away Sonam sir forcibly and still people are here, and we are not going to back off. They can throw ink, they can attack us, they can physically harm us, but we are not going to back off.”

Story continues below this ad

‘Will go on stage only when Sonam sir returns’

Dipke alleged that Wangchuk had been taken away against his wishes and said he would not return to the protest stage until the activist was released.

“He wants to come back. So whenever he will be released, he will come back; he has been illegally detained by the administration, and whenever he will come back, only then will I go on the stage; otherwise I will not go on the stage.”

When asked whether he would continue his own indefinite hunger strike after Wangchuk’s return, Dipke replied with a one-word answer: “Yes, I will continue.”

July 20 March ‘is on’

Despite uncertainty over official permission for the proposed July 20 march to Parliament, Dipke insisted the programme would proceed.

Story continues below this ad

When asked whether another confrontation with police could occur if permission was denied, he questioned the legality of the police action earlier in the day.

“The Delhi Police did not have the permission to take Sonam Wangchuk away. Sonam sir also didn’t give his consent. So, how can they do that?”

Asked if the march was still planned, Dipke said, “It’s on, and we will walk to the Parliament.”

The removal of Wangchuk from Jantar Mantar sparked protests by supporters and criticism from several Opposition leaders, who accused the Centre of suppressing a peaceful demonstration. Delhi Police, however, maintained that Wangchuk was shifted to hospital solely on medical grounds and in compliance with the Delhi High Court’s directions.