Left student groups, Cockroach Janta Party hold Kolkata rally, demand Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Kolkata witnessed a protest rally on Friday as Left student organisations, joined by members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), marched from Sealdah to Esplanade in support of the nationwide movement over the alleged NEET paper leak. Protesters demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and justice for students who were allegedly subjected to police action during protests in Delhi.

The demonstration, which was held with police permission, saw participants carrying placards and raising slogans against the Union government. They also demanded a judicial inquiry into the alleged police excesses during the Delhi protests and called for accountability in the handling of the NEET paper leak.

The rally marked the Kolkata debut of the Cockroach Janta Party. The group's planned independent march from College Square to Esplanade was merged with the Left students' procession after it did not receive permission for a separate rally.

CJP member Dedipya Ganguly had earlier written to Kolkata Police seeking permission to organise a march in solidarity with social activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. After receiving no response, the organisation decided to join the Left-led protest instead. In his communication with the police, Ganguly assured that the programme would remain peaceful and comply with all directions issued by the authorities.

Speaking about the purpose of the protest, Ganguly said the rally was organised not only to express solidarity with Wangchuk but also to demand Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, a judicial inquiry into the alleged police brutality against protesters in Delhi, and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy.

The Cockroach Janta Party has been leading protests over the alleged NEET paper leak across the country, with the Kolkata rally being held as part of its broader nationwide campaign.