A youth-led protest movement in India’s capital has grown to encompass tens of thousands of demonstrators calling for significant changes to the country’s education system. The Cockroach Janta Party, which began as a satirical online campaign just months ago, has evolved into a major political force. The movement is headed by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old political communications strategist and Boston University alumnus who initially conceived of the effort as a joke. When Dipke opened registration through a Google form, the response was overwhelming, with tens of thousands signing up and transforming the venture into a substantive protest organization.
The movement’s name references comments allegedly made by India’s Chief Justice, who compared unemployed young people entering journalism and activism to cockroaches and parasites during a court hearing. The Chief Justice later clarified his remarks were directed specifically at individuals with fraudulent credentials rather than youth generally. The name also parodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Young supporters have embraced the cockroach imagery, appearing in costume at clean-up drives and demonstrations.
Central to the movement’s grievances is India’s National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, the primary examination for medical college admissions. Nearly 2.28 million candidates took the test in May, but it was cancelled days later following allegations of question leaks. Candidates subsequently had to retake the exam under enhanced security protocols. The CJP has alleged that approximately 20 students died by suicide following the exam’s cancellation. A similar examination scandal occurred in 2024. The organization is demanding comprehensive education system reforms, accountability for alleged exam irregularities, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement gained additional prominence following the hospitalization of Sonam Wangchuk, a respected engineer and activist, who had undertaken a 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in support of the CJP. He was forcibly transferred to a hospital on Saturday. This incident prompted considerable backlash and expanded the protest’s visibility. Following these events, the CJP’s leader called for Prime Minister Modi’s resignation as well.
The principal march took place on Monday and represented the largest protest against Modi’s government in recent years in the capital. The demonstration has attracted backing from numerous opposition politicians, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and representatives from other opposition parties who characterized police actions against students as undemocratic.