Physics Wallah co-founder and CEO Alakh Pandey has joined the ongoing student protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, extending his support to the demonstrators and urging the government to initiate talks with them.
His appearance comes days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been spearheading protests over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, criticised Pandey for not publicly supporting the movement. The group had also urged students to boycott teachers who did not stand with the protesters.
On Thursday morning, Pandey shared a video from the protest site, stating that the movement had grown beyond the issue of the NEET examination alone.
"On July 20, the students of India held a historic protest. This was the anger of students against the entire education system. This isn't just about NEET," he said.
The protests at Jantar Mantar have continued for several days, with students demanding action over the alleged paper leak and seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The agitation intensified on July 20 after thousands of students gathered at the protest site, followed by police action.
In his video, Pandey also criticised the reported use of force against peaceful protesters and appealed to the government to engage directly with the students.
"Why doesn't the government talk to these children? These are our country's children. Please come and speak to them at least once. Listen to their problems. They have come onto the streets out of helplessness," he said.
Pandey emphasised that the concerns raised by the protesters extended well beyond NEET and reflected broader issues affecting the country's education and recruitment systems.
"It's not just about NEET. It's about IIT, CBSE, SSC, education and recruitment. It is about everything that is being discussed here," he said.
He also announced that Physics Wallah would support the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak by funding the education of children in those households.
"I will fully support the families of all those students who committed suicide. I will provide complete education to all the children in their families," Pandey said, while reiterating his appeal for the government to listen to the students' concerns.
Pandey's visit marks his first public appearance at the protest and comes amid growing calls from sections of the student community for prominent education figures to openly support the movement.
