Supporters of the Cockroach People’s Party hold protest in New Delhi | Politics News
Hundreds Rally in New Delhi Demanding Resignation of Education Minister
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical movement, call for action following exam irregularities.
NEW DELHI — Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered in New Delhi over the weekend, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The event marked a significant moment for the CJP, which has emerged as a popular satirical movement in India, particularly among the youth.
The party, named in jest as a counterpart to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has rapidly gained traction, attracting over 22.2 million followers on social media within weeks of its establishment. Its slogan emphasizes a youth-driven political platform: “A political front for the youth, by the youth, for the youth.”
The protest took place in the designated demonstration area near Parliament on Saturday, with many participants wearing cockroach masks as a nod to recent derogatory comments made by India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant. During a court hearing last month, Kant described young critics of the government as “cockroaches” and “parasites.” Though he later asserted that his remarks were misinterpreted, the comments inspired CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student, to create the parody political party.
The gathering served as a platform for demanding accountability following a controversy regarding exam irregularities that surfaced in May, which fueled broader frustrations over India’s education system and job market. Protesters chanted slogans such as, “Cockroaches are coming, Dharmendra Pradhan is going!”
CJP organizers encouraged attendees to bring the national flag and a book, symbols of the right to education and equal opportunity. They also urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid confrontations with law enforcement. In preparation for the event, police heightened security measures around key areas of the city, including the airport and the Jantar Mantar protest site, erecting steel barricades.
The emergence of the CJP reflects a growing trend in South Asia, where youth-driven movements originating on social media have played pivotal roles in antigovernment protests, similar to movements in countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
As more than a quarter of India’s population comprises young people, the persistent challenges of unemployment and limited job prospects have fueled disillusionment with traditional political avenues. While some supporters of the BJP have dismissed the CJP as a mere social media phenomenon, others express concern that the movement’s momentum may not translate into lasting political change.
