NEW DELHI – The rapidly emerging youth political outfit, the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ (CJP), which was born out of a controversial remark reportedly made by a judge, staged its first large-scale protest in the national capital on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to Indian media reports, the party—formed to highlight the growing concerns of students and young job-seekers—gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Students, youth activists, and social figures participated in the demonstration, raising strong slogans against unemployment and mounting crises in the country’s education sector.
Addressing the gathering, party founder Abhijit Deepke warned of an expansion of the movement if their demands are not taken seriously. “If our demands are not given due consideration, the protest will be extended to other cities across the country,” he said. Deepke also announced that another protest program would be organised in Delhi next week.
Renowned engineer and social activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the demonstration, lending support to the cause.
In his address, Abhijit Deepke criticised the prioritisation of religious and communal debates in recent years, which he said have pushed the real problems of the youth to the back burner. “Basic issues like employment, education, and future opportunities must be included in the nation’s top priorities,” he asserted.
The Cockroach Janata Party also condemned the suspension of its organisation’s social media accounts, calling it an attempt to suppress dissenting voices. “Digital restrictions cannot stop the youth movement,” Deepke said.
Protesters presented a charter of demands, including educational reforms, better employment opportunities, and effective government measures to address youth-related problems.
A heavy deployment of additional police and security personnel was observed at the venue to handle any untoward situation. No major incidents were reported.
The protest triggered strong reactions on social media, with a section of the youth reportedly setting up a political platform, calling the judge’s original remark an insult.
Background – The party originally came into being in response to a controversial statement by an Indian chief justice, in which the word “cockroach” was allegedly used to refer to unemployed youth. The remark sparked outrage, leading to the formation of the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ as a satirical yet serious political voice for the youth.
