On June 6, 2026, supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical social media movement, rallied in New Delhi to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The CJP, launched by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke in response to Chief Justice Surya Kant’s derogatory remarks about young government critics, quickly gained popularity, amassing over 22.2 million followers on Instagram with its slogan “A political front by young people, for young people.”
Protesters, some wearing cockroach masks, gathered near Parliament, calling for reforms in India’s education system amid rising discontent over exam fraud and limited job opportunities. Organizers encouraged a peaceful demonstration, urging participants to bring books and the Indian flag as symbols of education rights.
While the protest reflects broader youth activism trends across South Asia, critics from Prime Minister Modi’s party view the CJP as a mere social media gimmick, questioning its ability to translate online support into political mobilization. Nonetheless, the movement underscores the frustrations of India’s youth, who represent over a quarter of the population and face high unemployment rates.
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