In a significant development for India’s burgeoning youth movement, the viral "cockroach" group, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), has announced its plans for renewed mobilization. This comes just days after their impactful Gen Z-led protests successfully pressured the government, leading to the resignation of the country’s education minister.
Speaking to a gathering of volunteers in the capital city of Delhi on Wednesday, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke revealed that his organization faced alleged obstruction from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in securing a venue for their planned meeting. Despite these challenges, Dipke declared the movement’s imminent return, following the conclusion of its 36-day agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 25th. "Many people were commenting on Instagram when Season 2 of ‘Jantar-Mantar’ will begin. I want to tell them that Season 2 of ‘Jantar Mantar’ is going to start very soon,” he affirmed, referencing the iconic protest site.
Dipke detailed the difficulties encountered in finding a suitable location for their volunteers’ meeting, with numerous banquet hall owners reportedly refusing their requests. "We were scheduled to hold our volunteers’ meet in Delhi today. We were looking for a hall, but no one would rent us one. Everyone kept saying there was pressure from above (government)," he stated. He further alleged that after finally securing a venue, its owners received threats on the very morning the meeting was scheduled to take place.
Pinpointing the source of this alleged intimidation, Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. The Independent has sought a response from the BJP regarding these claims. However, Dipke asserted that these attempts to disrupt their gathering had, in fact, strengthened the movement. "The more they go against us, the more it works in our favour. They’re unable to understand how to deal with us,” he remarked, adding, "Today also they thought if they threaten the banquet hall we won’t hold the meet. Now the closed door meeting has become a public event. I think they want a Jantar Mantar everywhere."
The CJP’s initial protest at Jantar Mantar galvanized public attention around the alleged paper leak of a crucial undergraduate medical entrance examination and broader demands for educational reform. The demonstration concluded after the then-federal education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, tendered his resignation, and the government acceded to other key demands from the protestors, including assurances against police action. This powerful display of youth activism attracted students and young volunteers from across India, drawing support from various opposition leaders. Notably, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk also joined the protest on June 28th, initiating an indefinite hunger strike before requiring hospitalization due to deteriorating health.
Since its initial success, the group has expressed intentions to broaden its campaign beyond its original focus. Saurav Das, the CJP’s chief spokesperson, announced the launch of a nationwide "listening tour" to engage with the public, with education remaining a primary concern. "This itself is Season Two. Protests are taking place across the country against such incompetent governments and officers. On behalf of CJP, we are now embarking on a nationwide ‘listening tour’ to hear what the public has to say. We will run a campaign, and we are prioritising the issue of education starting from Independence Day," Das elaborated.
Dipke confirmed that Wednesday’s meeting was specifically intended to strategize support for a student-led agitation currently underway in the eastern state of Jharkhand. "Ranchi protest is led by Devendra Mahto, who is sitting on a hunger strike. Our volunteers are supporting. Today we were going to discuss how to strengthen the Jharkhand agitation, and how to continue our campaign for schools in villages," he explained. The CJP has also been actively advocating for improved basic facilities in government schools, urging village heads and parents to highlight deficiencies such as lack of electricity, water, functional toilets, and proper midday meals. Dipke has encouraged parents to document these shortcomings and announced that the CJP will soon launch a dedicated form to systematically collect information on school infrastructure nationwide.
