Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party’s Protest Demonstration

The controversy surrounding the alleged leak of the NEET examination paper has plunged India’s education system into a serious crisis. Renowned Ladakh-based social activist Sonam Wangchuk began an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 28, 2026, while the Cockroach Janata Party has continued its protests. According to this viewpoint, the movement is not merely against a single examination scandal but against systemic corruption, growing despair over students’ futures, and problems believed to be linked to a cash-based economy.

The Tragic Reality of the NEET Paper Leak and Student Deaths
The alleged irregularities and paper leak in the NEET UG 2026 examination have, according to this perspective, undermined the years of hard work of millions of students. Following the cancellation of the examination, it is claimed that at least 12 students died by suicide after being unable to cope with the resulting psychological stress. These incidents are presented as evidence that confidence in the education system has been severely damaged. Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party have demanded the resignation of the Education Minister while raising these issues at the national level. The protests have also reportedly led to confrontations with police and heightened tensions, reflecting the frustration of young people and their growing distrust of the system.

Corruption, the Cash Economy, and the Need for Abolishing Physical Currency
According to this argument, the root cause of the crisis is corruption, with the cash economy serving as its primary enabler. Large-scale examination paper leaks are alleged to involve millions of rupees in cash transactions, making them difficult to trace. Bribes paid to paper leak operators, intermediaries, and examination center personnel are said to be conducted primarily in cash. From this perspective, abolishing physical currency (“Note Khareji”) would be an effective solution. Eliminating cash would restrict the use of high-value banknotes and make financial transactions digital and traceable, enabling investigative agencies to follow the flow of money more effectively.

It is further argued that abolishing physical currency would dismantle the financial networks of examination mafias. Supporters of this view contend that India’s previous demonetization temporarily disrupted black money and corrupt activities, and that if such measures had been continued or replaced with a fully mandatory digital payment system, scandals like the NEET paper leak could have been prevented. They argue that the easy availability of cash repeatedly fuels corruption, whereas eliminating physical currency would cut off its financial lifeline. In their view, such a policy would enhance transparency not only in education but also in politics and public administration.

The Path Toward Long-Term Reform
From this perspective, the movement led by Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party deserves appreciation for drawing national attention to students’ suffering. However, it argues that lasting reform requires making the abolition of physical currency a central public policy, alongside fully digitizing and increasing the transparency of the examination process. The government, according to this viewpoint, should treat the crisis with utmost seriousness. Reviving policies aimed at eliminating physical cash while strengthening digital infrastructure is presented as the way to safeguard the future of deserving students. Otherwise, it warns that growing frustration among young people could eventually escalate into a broader social movement.

Conclusion
According to this viewpoint, the movement has exposed the problems of examination paper leaks, student deaths, and systemic corruption. It argues that the cash economy lies at the root of these challenges and that abolishing physical currency would address them fundamentally. By making financial transactions traceable, weakening corrupt networks, and promoting transparency, such a policy is presented as a means of creating a cleaner education system. The article concludes by urging the government to take immediate action in this direction, asserting that eliminating physical currency is essential for securing students’ futures and promoting national development. In its view, the message of the protests is clear: a corruption-free society cannot be achieved without a transparent, digitally driven economy.