‘Cockroach Janta Party’ Stages Massive Protest in Delhi, Seeks Education Minister’s Resignation

Security was tightened significantly in Central Delhi on Saturday as the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP)—a satirical digital outfit turned street-protest movement—staged a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protesters are demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the controversial NEET question paper leak. Prominent activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk also joined the demonstration to show solidarity with the student community.

Earlier on Saturday morning, the Delhi Police officially granted permission for the demonstration. The founder of the online platform, Abhijeet Dipke, arrived in Delhi from the United States to personally lead the protest. Police officials met Dipke at the airport and permitted him to proceed directly to the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar. Dipke, who was spotted exiting the airport carrying a copy of B.R. Ambedkar’s autobiography, had initially directed supporters to assemble at the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission. However, once official clearance was secured, he instructed followers to head straight to Jantar Mantar.

Extensive Security Measures and Growing Public Support

In anticipation of the gathering, Delhi Police deployed approximately 2,000 personnel at Jantar Mantar and its adjacent areas in Central Delhi to maintain law and order.

Pamphlets distributed by the organizers at the protest venue stated that the demonstration was aimed at demanding administrative accountability, seeking justice for affected students, and pushing for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. The organizers also highlighted that an online petition launched by the party seeking the minister's resignation has already garnered over 8 lakh signatures.

The Origin of the 'Cockroach Janta Party'

The Cockroach Janta Party was launched as a satirical digital movement by Abhijeet Dipke on May 16, following a massive public controversy involving Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. During a Supreme Court hearing on May 15 regarding the designation of senior advocates, the Chief Justice drew widespread criticism after orally remarking that some unemployed youth behave like "cockroaches" and "parasites" who use social media and litigation to attack national institutions.

Although the CJI later clarified that his critical remarks were strictly directed at individuals holding fake or bogus degrees entering professional fields, the "cockroach" analogy went viral online. Embracing the term as a symbol of satirical dissent, Dipke founded the digital outfit, which quickly amassed millions of followers across various social media platforms before transitioning into an active street protest over the NEET paper leak crisis.