New Delhi: Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday under tight security.
Hundreds of mostly young people attended the protest, many wearing cockroach masks and carrying flowers. Several schoolchildren were seen at the event accompanied by their parents. Participants were largely a combination of school and college students and young professionals who convened at the venue, chanting slogans and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, a vocal supporter of the Cockroach Janta Party, warned he would begin a six‑week fast if founder Abhijeet Dipke is arrested. He framed the fast as a non‑violent act of solidarity meant to draw attention to any move to suppress the movement and to amplify the students’ and youths’ call for accountability in examinations.
Dipke urged supporters on X to bring a book and the national flag, and asked demonstrators to offer flowers to police as “a gesture of compassion and gratitude,” stressing that the movement should remain peaceful and led with “love and peace.” The CJP had circulated similar guidance beforehand, asking attendees to avoid violence and confrontations and to engage respectfully with law enforcement.
Security across the national capital was stepped up in the run-up to the event. Authorities deployed extra security personnel at Indira Gandhi International Airport, border entry points and other sensitive locations, and more than 1,000 police officers were earmarked for deployment across New Delhi and strategic spots as a precaution.
According to reports, police also increased security near Dipke’s family home in the Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra, with officers saying they expanded the guard to prevent crowding as Dipke returned to India. Local police officials added that Dipke’s parents were not currently at the residence.
The CJP, a youth-led online movement, has called for accountability over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC exams.
