Actor Prakash Raj joined hundreds of protesters at Bengaluru's Freedom Park on Sunday (June 14), lending his support to a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Despite heavy rain, large numbers of students and young people gathered at the venue to demand accountability over alleged examination-related irregularities and call for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest was part of a nationwide campaign led by the CJP, which has organised demonstrations across several cities in recent weeks. The group has alleged serious lapses in the examination system, including the NEET paper leak controversy, and has been demanding action against those responsible.
Prakash Raj addressed the rain-soaked crowd alongside education reform activist Sonam Wangchuk and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. A video shared by the organisation on social media showed the actor voicing support for the students and urging young people to fight for their future.
"The elected leaders should do their jobs. Why have you changed the equation? You are doing politics, we are supposed to do jobs. No! The youth of this country has decided to fight their fight," Raj said during his speech.
He further criticised older political leaders, saying, "Uncles and aunties, you are ruling this country after retirement age. Go away. We youngsters are fighting for our future. These youngsters are fighting for their dreams."
Ahead of the protest, Raj had shared a message on social media urging people to join the demonstration.
Actor @prakashraaj tells the ruling class of politicians to make way for the youth of this country, which is fighting for its future. #cjpprotest at Freedom Park, Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/RgXkUHGlUc
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) June 14, 2026
"I am travelling to reach Bengaluru to support this relevant peaceful protest. Please join us to raise our voice and make the government accountable for its failure," he wrote.
The actor had also expressed solidarity with the movement during an earlier protest in Delhi that he was unable to attend. Responding to a supporter on social media, Raj said he had tried his best to be present but was prevented by prior work commitments.
"Tried my best to be there and show my solidarity, but couldn't come due to impending prior work. Always with the movement. I am extremely happy Cockroaches rocked. Thank you dearest Sonam Wangchuk for being there. Who else is better than you when it comes to the future of our education system?" he wrote.
The Bengaluru gathering followed a series of protests organised by the CJP across the country. The campaign began with a large demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 6 and was followed by events in Pune on June 11, Lucknow on June 12 and Amritsar on June 13.
Speaking at the Lucknow protest, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reiterated the group's demand for the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
"We will continue the protest until the education minister resigns. I only want to appeal to students to continue peaceful protests and join the mass mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on June 20," Dipke told Hindustan Times.
At the Bengaluru protest, demonstrators raised slogans over the alleged NEET paper leak, concerns regarding the CBSE's on-screen marking system and other examination-related issues. Organisers said the movement would continue through peaceful protests and public mobilisation in the coming weeks.
