07062026-TT-01.qxd 06-06-2026 23:19 Page 1 c m y b 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 156 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH MAMATA ‘REINS IN’ ABHISHEK, APPOINTS 2 JOINT GEN SECYS NATION /thetribunechd US, IRAN EXCHANGE FIRE IN LATEST BLOW TO CEASEFIRE WORLD INDIAN TOURISTS GOING RUSSIAN TEEN ANDREEVA VIRAL FOR ALL WRONG CLINCHES MAIDEN REASONS SPECTRUM GRAND SLAM TITLE SPORT sunday | 7 june 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Cockroach backers swarm Jantar Mantar as hundreds seek Pradhan ousterover paper leak CAPT MEETS SHAH Dipke, Wangchuk lead protest | CJP sets week’s deadline for resignation | Threatens pan-India agitation Shekhar Singh REFORMS IN EXAMS AMONG KEY DEMANDS Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 6 Hundreds of students, young professionals and parents gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, with outfit founder Abhijeet Dipke delivering the message “not to be scared”. Dipke, who called for the protest, arrived at the IGI airport from the US early on Saturday morning amid heightened security arrangements and uncertainty over whether he would be detained before reaching the protest venue. The movement also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, adding visibility beyond student circles. After receiving permission from the Delhi Police, he reached Jantar Mantar where crowds supporting cockroach masks, flowers and handmade ■ CJP has sought accountability for paper leaks, glitches ■ Greater transparency in exam- ination process, recruitments ■ Stronger safeguards against future paper leaks, cancellations ■ Timely recruitment processes and reduction in delays PARALLEL TO CJP STIR, GOVT HOLDS YOUTH EVENT Even as hundreds converged for the CJP protest, the Centre, in what appeared to be a move to counter the agitation, held a youth convention attended by thousands of youngsters. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk speaks as Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke (on his right) and others protest alleged examination-related lapses at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. MUKESH AGGARWAL placards had been gathering since morning. The protest also carried a political deadline. Dipke had earlier set a 5 pm deadline for Pradhan’s resignation and warned that failure to respond would trigger a broader mobilisation. “If there is no response, this movement returns next Satur- day and not only in Delhi,” he said, signalling protests across states. Till late evening, there was no response from the government. The CJP which , DETAILED COVERAGE 6 DETAINED AT JANTAR MANTAR FOR RAISING ANTI-CJP SLOGANS BEYOND PAPER LEAK, LACK OF JOBS DRIVING YOUNG INDIA’S IRE PAGE 9 began as an online movement, found its biggest street expression yet as protesters from different states assembled in the capital. From school students accompanied by parents to college youth and working professionals, the gathering reflected widening frustration over alleged paper leaks, technical glitches, recruitment delays and repeated controversies surrounding examinations, including NEET, CUET, CBSE and SSC-related processes. Paper cockroach masks, now the defining symbol of the movement, dominated the venue. Protesters carried flowers, distributed pamphlets and held posters reading “Main Hoon Cockroach”, while others carried placards seeking the Education Minister’s resignation and accountability. Security remained tight throughout the day with barricades, frisking points and heavy police deployment around Jantar Mantar as authorities monitored the gathering amid concerns over crowd build-up. By around 10 am, Jantar Mantar had begun filling slowly as groups of students gathered near barricades continued on page 8 PRAGGING POINTS PM chairs meet to boost ease of living, biz amid Iran crisis Tribune News Service Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has become the first Indian to win the coveted Norway Chess title with a victory over Germany’s Vincent Keymer in Oslo. The 20-year-old, who was placed second with 15 points in the final round, secured three points to clinch trophy. He termed it the ‘biggest achievement’ of his career. SEE SPORT New Delhi, June 6 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a meeting of his Economic Advisory Council, with further reforms to ensure ease of living and working on the table. “The PM and the EAC discussed various ideas and measures to further boost India’s economic growth in times of global turmoil,” sources said. They said various reforms to improve ease of living and ease of doing business were also discussed. The members also gave their assessment of the impact of the West Asia conflict on the country and the world. The meeting came just a day after Indian growth projections defied predictions with 7.7 per cent GDP growth Modi reviews impact of West Asia turmoil in FY26. The January to March quarter growth expanded to 7.8 per cent on strong domestic demand and government spending plus revival signs in rural economy where tractor sales were up 23 per cent compared to the last fiscal. The growth estimates surpassed expectations despite global headwinds. PM Modi, commenting on the growth data released by the National Statistical Office, said India’s growth momentum remained strong. “The GDP growth rate of 7.7 per cent in FY 2025-26 and 7.8 per cent in Q4 of FY 2025-26 reflects the inherent strength of our economy, the success of reforms and the hard work of Sikhs’ identity, symbols being targeted:Takht 9 die in Pb as pick-up BLUESTAR ANNIV Jathedar flags call for kirpan ban in UK, urges unity collides with truck Charanjit Singh Teja FEROZEPUR: Nine persons, including four women, died and 18 were hurt when a pickup they were travelling in collided with a truck on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road on Saturday. Around 30 persons were on the way to Beas to immerse the ashes of a relative in the river. INSIDE Tytler gets NOC for renewing passport NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Saturday allowed a plea by Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is on trial in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, for a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) for renewing his passport, but said he cannot travel abroad without court permission. — PTI Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 6 The Sikh community should remain united and connected to its roots in Punjab, Acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said on the 42nd anniversary of Ghallughara (Operation Bluestar) on Saturday. He expressed concern that Sikh identity and religious symbols were being “targeted globally”. Hundreds of devotees, members of Sikh organisations, political activists and representatives of various Panthic groups gathered at the Golden Temple complex to observe the anniversary amid tight security arrangements. Except for pro-Khalistan slogans raised by a few hardline groups following Gargaj’s continued on page 8 A congregation to mark the 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. PTI Shreyas replaces SKY as T20 captain, teen prodigy Vaibhav picked Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 6 Less than four months after winning the T20 World Cup at home, skipper Suryakumar Yadav has been removed from the captaincy and dropped from the squad as well, with in-form Shreyas Iyer taking charge of the team in the shortest format for the next two-year cycle. However, the biggest talking point from the BCCI announcement was the inclusion of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England. If the Samastipur youngster makes his debut against either Ireland or England, he will become the youngest player to represent India’s senior men’s team, surpassing the record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who made his Test debut at 16 years and 205 days against Pakistan in Karachi on November 15, 1989. At just 15 years and 71 days old, the left-hander has become the toast of the Shreyas Iyer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 15-yr-old IPL star in line to be youngest debutant nation after sweeping almost every major award in this year’s IPL, including the Most Valuable Player and Best Emerging Player honours. It was only a matter of time before Sooryavanshi earned an international callup as the clamour for his inclusion grew louder with every innings he played for Rajasthan Royals. He finished as the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2026, scoring 776 runs, including one century and five half-centuries, at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. India will tour Ireland for two T20Is on June 26 and 28, followed by a fivematch T20I series against Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including six-page Spectrum. c m y b England from July 1 to 11. Suryakumar’s indifferent form since the T20 World Cup appears to have ended his stint as captain. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer’s purple patch with the bat and his impressive captaincy record over the past two years — leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and Punjab Kings to the final in 2025 — made the selectors’ decision easier. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, after announcing continued on page 8 140 crore Indians. We shall leave no stone unturned to further ‘ease of living,’ ‘ease of doing business’ and increase opportunities for our youth,” he said on a day when Cockroach Janta Party members protested at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET-UG paper leak and the CBSE onscreen marking mess. Former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh greets Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday. The meeting comes days after the ex-CM expressed reservations over the appointment of Kewal Dhillon as Punjab unit chief without consulting him. INSIDE BJP eyes Maharaja’s legacy with Sarkar-e-Khalsa pitch Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 6 Framing egalitarian governance and communal harmony as the cornerstones of his vision for Punjab, state BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon on Saturday said the party sought to establish Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s “Sarkar-eKhalsa” in the state. On his first visit to the national capital after being appointed Punjab BJP president, Dhillon laid down a broad political strategy for the election-bound state, placing Hindu-Sikh unity at its core. “We will be guided by the principles of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and will seek to establish Sarkar-e-Khalsa in Punjab. The reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was known for interfaith har- Dhillon outlines vision for Punjab, says Centre’s state outreach soon mony, egalitarian administration and a powerful military that maintained strict law and order. Maharaja Ranjit Singh successfully consolidated 12 main Sikh sovereign misls into a powerful Sikh empire and had Hindus among his prominent ministers. There were no faith-based differences under his rule,” Dhillon said in an exclusive interview with The Tribune, recalling that he had unveiled a portrait of the Sikh emperor at the BJP state headquarters on the day he was appointed. Dhillon dismissed the HinduSikh binary in Punjab as artificial and said, “Right from continued on page 8