Amid the Cockroach Janata Party’s first protest in India, founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday shared a video from Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, saying, “They said cockroaches would never come on the ground…,” while footage showed crowds gathered at the protest venue.
The large-scale protest was organized to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amid controversy over the NEET paper leak and alleged irregularities in CBSE Class 12 results. While Dipke led the demonstration at Jantar Mantar, activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the protest.
Dipke, who arrived in New Delhi from the United States earlier on Saturday, warned of a nationwide agitation if Pradhan does not step down by 5 pm. The CJP was created as a satirical response to remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing last month, where certain individuals were allegedly described as “cockroaches” and “parasites.”
The protest drew students, competitive exam aspirants, and parents, many of whom voiced concerns about the education system. Dipke’s video surfaced amid mixed reactions on social media, with some users sharing clips claiming turnout was lower than expected, while others posted images suggesting a large crowd had gathered.
What are the main demands of the CJP?
Apart from demanding Pradhan’s resignation, the outfit is also calling for digitization in the education system only after adequate training and preparation. “We are digitalizing everything from banking to education, but are we able to stop the wrong practices? The answer is no,” said 50-year-old Radheshyam Kaithal, father of three students pursuing higher education in Delhi, while speaking to Hindustan Times.
The movement continues to focus primarily on youth and student-related concerns. “I don’t know what the future of the party will be, but at least right now they are raising issues that affect everyone – whether you’re a student or a parent concerned about your children’s education,” said 18-year-old Ronak Kumar from Delhi.
The group has also called for greater fairness and credibility in competitive examinations, while several participants highlighted the growing mental stress faced by students. “Some students have taken their own lives and lakhs are living under constant mental pressure, yet there is no accountability,” said Sugandha, a psychologist, while speaking to Hindustan Times.