Pune, 24th July 2026: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced a student-led protest rally on Friday (July 24) in solidarity with the ongoing demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The rally aims to support students calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in connection with the paper leak controversy.
The rally is scheduled to take place between 3 pm and 7 pm, beginning at Shaniwar Wada and concluding at the Pune Collectorate office. Organisers said they have approached the Pune Police for permission and have received a positive response.
CJP volunteers have appealed to student organisations, youth groups and citizens to participate in the march, saying the movement is no longer limited to Delhi and is gaining support in cities across the country.
Organisers said the rally will also condemn the alleged police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar earlier this week. They said the demonstration aims to send a message that students and young people will continue their movement despite attempts to suppress it and will keep demanding accountability from the government.
Several opposition parties have extended support to the Pune rally. Congress leader Prashant Jagtap, president of the party's Pune City East unit, criticised the government response to the protests, saying the government should engage in dialogue with students instead of using force.
He added that the Congress supports the demand for accountability and backs the peaceful protest being organised in Pune.
