The political storm surrounding the NEET UG 2026 controversy intensified on Monday as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister, alleging that the future of millions of students has been put at risk. Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Rai accused the government of mishandling the examination crisis. They called for immediate accountability amid growing public anger over the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities.

Rai joined hundreds of students, activists and AAP leaders who gathered at Jantar Mantar to protest against the handling of the medical entrance examination. The demonstration also followed the removal of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site, a move that opposition leaders claimed had further intensified public resentment.

Speaking to reporters, Rai said students and young people from across the country had assembled to demand justice and transparency.

"The future of millions of students and youth is being pushed into darkness. The Education Minister should resign because people across the country are demanding accountability," he said.

The AAP leader further alleged that the government's action in ending Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike had fuelled public outrage and strengthened calls for protecting students' interests.

According to Rai, the removal of Wangchuk from the protest site has become another symbol of the government's alleged unwillingness to address public concerns. He said protesters were united in demanding that the Education Minister step down and that confidence in the country's education system be restored.

The protest gained further momentum as senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Atishi joined the demonstration, popularly referred to as the "Cockroach Protest", at Jantar Mantar. The party has been using the protest to demand strict action against those allegedly responsible for the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and examination-related irregularities.

A day earlier, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had appealed to citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations, to participate in the protest march to Parliament in solidarity with students affected by the examination controversy.

Addressing supporters, Sisodia alleged that the alleged paper leak had impacted nearly 22 lakh NEET aspirants across the country. He also claimed that several student suicides had been linked to the stress surrounding the examination process, urging the government to ensure stringent legal action against those responsible.

"The youth of the country have gathered to demand justice. Those responsible for cheating lakhs of students should face the strictest legal action," Sisodia said during the protest.

The NEET UG 2026 examination has remained at the centre of national debate after allegations of a paper leak led to the cancellation of the original examination and the conduct of a re-test. The issue has since triggered multiple investigations, including a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while political parties have continued to question the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The ruling government has not officially responded to the latest demand for the Education Minister's resignation. Meanwhile, investigations into the alleged examination irregularities continue, with authorities maintaining that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings.

As protests gather momentum, the NEET UG 2026 controversy has evolved beyond an examination issue into a broader political debate on transparency, accountability and the credibility of India's competitive examination system.