NEW DELHI, June 21 -- Under makeshift arrangements, shared meals and a stage that remained occupied through the night, Jantar Mantar turned into a site of prolonged dissent on Sunday as protesters continued their demonstration demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over concerns surrounding examination-related controversies.

The indefinite sit-in, led by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, entered its second day despite police directions asking demonstrators to vacate the venue.

Addressing the gathering, Dipke sharpened his criticism of the Centre and said political accountability must accompany public concern over examination systems. He argued that if no action followed repeated public demands, it would reflect a larger institutional failure rather than an isolated controversy.

Protesters who remained overnight described the demonstration as more than a political gathering. Students, activists and supporters occupied the space late into the night before resuming activities the following morning. Volunteers distributed food and water while groups continued discussions and public addresses. Several participants framed the protest as centred on educational transparency and opportunities for young people. A UPSC aspirant and teacher identified as Ram spoke about her own experiences with examination uncertainty and called for stronger accountability.

Among those present were university students, families and individuals who said they had travelled specifically to participate in the demonstration. A participant undergoing cancer treatment addressed the crowd and said concerns around education and opportunity extended beyond age and personal circumstances.

Neha, a doctoral student from Jawaharlal Nehru University, said students had joined the protest because education and employment remained closely tied to their future. She described the gathering as a peaceful attempt to raise concerns and seek institutional response. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das claimed participation had increased compared with the previous day and appealed for wider public involvement. Late in the evening, Dipke announced that the sit-in would continue overnight and urged citizens to join from the following morning, saying the movement would continue until its demands were addressed.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.