In brief
A youth‑led satirical movement has turned into a nationwide protest in India's capital. Thousands of students and supporters march to parliament on a demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the NEET exam papers were allegedly leaked and canceled. The movement, known as the Cockroach Janta Party, sparked off after activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike was interrupted and he was forcibly taken to hospital. The protests have drawn support from opposition politicians and drawn police confrontation, marking the largest anti‑Modi demonstration in recent years.
More than 50,000 teenagers, university students and political activists have taken to the streets of New Delhi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protests began as a satirical online movement called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and have quickly become one of India’s most visible youth movements.
How a Joke Became a Movement
Abhijeet Dipke, a 30‑year‑old political communications strategist and former student at Boston University, launched the CJP in October as a joke. He created a Google form inviting people to sign up, and received tens of thousands of responses. The online community, initially humorous, leveraged its momentum to mobilise real‑world protests.
The Trigger: Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike
Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent engineer and activist, had been on a 20‑day hunger strike at Delhi’s historic Jantar Mantar in support of the CJP. On Saturday, he was forcibly removed from the site and taken to hospital, an act that outraged the CJP’s followers and prompted Dipke to call for a march on Parliament on Monday.
Why ‘Cockroach’?
The name originates from comments by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who compared certain unemployed youth to “cockroaches”. The CJP’s parody of the ruling BJP’s name, “Bharatiya Janata Party”, was embraced by supporters who even dress in cockroach‑like costumes at rallies.
Core Demands
The core grievances center on the national education system, especially the NEET examination. The May 3 exam was cancelled days after 2.28 million students sat it, amid allegations that questions had been leaked. Several students reportedly took their own lives over the stress. The CJP demands a thorough overhaul of exam security, accountability for leaked papers and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Government and Political Response
Monday’s protest was the biggest anti‑Modi demonstration in recent years. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the police baton‑charging “an attack on democracy”, and prominent opposition MPs joined the march. The CJP’s influence, while still uncertain, signals a rising challenge to the current administration’s governance.
Follow the protest live: Live coverage on BBC News
