Youth Protests in New Delhi Draw Support from Cockroach Janta Party

Protesters Gather in New Delhi to Demand Education Minister’s Resignation

Hundreds of young people gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, waving the national flag and holding schoolbooks, to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protesters, who identified themselves as members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were largely comprised of students and unemployed youth.

The CJP was formed just three weeks ago in response to a comment made by India’s chief justice, which likened government critics and unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”. The group has since grown into a movement focused on issues related to exams, jobs, and economic promise. Protesters carried dog-eared exam guides and wore cockroach masks as a symbol of their frustration.

The CJP’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old political strategist from the United States, addressed the crowd, stating that “cockroaches don’t ever fear”. The group has gained significant attention online, with over 20 million followers on Instagram. However, the protest also highlighted the risks of dissent in India, where large protests have often been met with crackdowns and criminal cases.

The protesters’ demands centered around the recent exam paper leaks, technical glitches, and cancelled tests, including the NEET medical entrance exam. Reports of student suicides were also cited as a symbol of the system’s lack of credibility. The protest marked an important test for the CJP, which has used satire and self-deprecating memes to mobilize support online.

Source: Al Jazeera