New Delhi, June, 19
As preparations gather pace for a student protest at Jantar Mantar on June 20, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking assistance of Rs 1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide amid ongoing examination-related controversies.
The letter, sent on Friday, places the spotlight on what the organisation describes as a growing mental health crisis among students facing uncertainty over examinations and possible re-examinations.
The appeal comes ahead of CJP’s second planned demonstration in the national capital, where the youth-led outfit intends to intensify its campaign over alleged examination irregularities and the government’s handling of the education system.
“I am writing to you today with a heavy heart, to bring your urgent attention to an escalating crisis that threatens the very future of our nation — the lives and mental well-being of our young students,” Dipke said in the letter.
Linking student distress to examination-related developments, Dipke claimed that 11 students had died by suicide in recent weeks, including five in the last 48 hours. He alleged that anxiety among students had risen sharply because of uncertainty surrounding possible re-examinations.
The letter also draws attention to the economic burden borne by many families. According to Dipke, several parents had taken substantial educational loans to support their children’s studies and now find themselves struggling after losing their children.
“Having lost the very children they poured their life savings into educating, these families have been left entirely destitute,” he wrote.
Seeking immediate intervention from the Centre, Dipke demanded a compensation package of Rs 1 crore for each affected family. He described the situation as a “compounding crisis of paper leaks” and urged the government to provide relief to those who had suffered losses.
Alongside the compensation demand, the CJP founder reiterated the organisation’s call for the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He said the students participating in the campaign were seeking accountability for the crisis and answers over the handling of examination-related issues.
The letter marks the latest escalation in CJP’s campaign ahead of Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar, where the organisation plans to press its demands and raise concerns over the impact of examination controversies on students and their families.
