‘Cockroach Janata Party’ Holds Massive Protest in Delhi; Demands Education Minister’s Resignation and Major Reforms

New Delhi: Anger among students over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and paper leak incidents has taken center stage with a massive protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

The demonstration was led by CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, who returned to India earlier in the day and addressed thousands of students, parents, and young professionals gathered at the protest site. Participants demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and called for sweeping reforms in the country’s education and examination systems.

Heavy security arrangements were deployed around Jantar Mantar as the gathering attracted large crowds from different parts of the country.

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Addressing the protesters, Dipke said the movement had been demanding accountability over examination-related issues for the past month through social media campaigns. He alleged that instead of addressing concerns, attempts were made to suppress the campaign by targeting social media accounts and removing posts. He asserted that while online content could be removed, the voices of students could not be silenced.

A notable aspect of the protest was Dipke carrying a book related to B. R. Ambedkar, symbolizing the movement’s focus on educational rights and social justice.

Five Major Demands of the Protesters

1. Resignation of the Education Minister
Protesters demanded the immediate resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him accountable for the alleged NEET paper leak controversy and irregularities in examination evaluation systems.

2. Responsible Digital Education Reforms
The movement called for proper teacher training and assessment before implementing large-scale digital education systems, arguing that technological reforms should not be rushed without adequate safeguards.

3. Restoration of Education in Manipur
Protesters urged the government to restore normal educational activities in Manipur, where prolonged unrest has reportedly disrupted schools and colleges for several years.

4. Transparency in Competitive Examinations
Students demanded greater transparency and reliability in recruitment and entrance examinations, stating that paper leaks undermine years of hard work and preparation.

5. Mental Health Support for Students
The movement also highlighted the growing mental health challenges faced by students due to examination uncertainty, calling for greater accountability and support systems.

Unique Style of Protest

The demonstration stood out for its unusual symbolism. Many participants wore cockroach masks and carried flowers while marching and raising slogans. Protesters repeatedly chanted demands for accountability and educational reforms, creating a charged atmosphere throughout the event.

Slogans including calls for the Education Minister’s resignation echoed across the protest venue, while many participants also raised social justice slogans during the gathering.

What began as a social media campaign has now evolved into a large-scale street movement, potentially increasing pressure on authorities to address concerns regarding examination integrity, educational reforms, and student welfare.