NEW DELHI: India’s satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a fresh protest march in New Delhi on September 5, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of failing to honour commitments made to young protesters after nationwide demonstrations in July.
The march will begin at India Gate and proceed towards the New Delhi Police Headquarters. The CJP said it would be led by families of deceased NEET candidates and victims of police brutality during the July protests.
Students, youth organisations and young people from across the country are expected to join, according to a statement issued by the group.
The group said the government had failed to fulfil commitments made on July 25, particularly those concerning the withdrawal of first information reports (FIRs) against students and protesters.
It said the continued delay had prompted its National Working Committee to resume peaceful mobilisation.
PRESS STATEMENT (Aug 24, 2026)
The Cockroach Janta Party strongly condemns the Union Government’s failure to honour the commitments made to India’s youth on July 25, particularly those concerning the withdrawal of FIRs against students and protesters.
With the Government… pic.twitter.com/YlmJJiYlqc
— Cockroach Janta Party – CJP (@Cockroachisback) August 24, 2026
Cockroach movement challenges Modi’s govt
The CJP began as an online satirical group but later became a prominent force in youth protests over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s highly competitive medical college entrance examination.
#WATCH | Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das says, “We had stated earlier that in a democracy, there must always be a continuous dialogue. There needs to be communication between those elected to the government and those who elected them; when such… pic.twitter.com/n9O97WyAlu
— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2026
The movement emerged in May 2026 after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant compared unemployed young people to “cockroaches”.
Student and political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke subsequently turned the remark into the name of an online collective, which rapidly gained a large following.
The movement gained momentum after allegations of a leak involving the NEET examination. More than two million students had taken the test, while at least a dozen students reportedly died by suicide after learning that they might have to retake an examination for which they had prepared for years.
Protesters demanded accountability and the resignation of then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Thousands of protesters attempted to march towards Parliament on July 20. Delhi Police responded with tear gas, baton charges and internet blackouts.
Five days later, on July 25, Pradhan resigned, following pressure from the protesters. The CJP movement has since broadened its campaign to include unemployment and opportunities for young people.
Excessive force against young protesters
The planned September march also follows allegations of excessive force during the July demonstrations.
Amnesty International said its Evidence Lab had verified video and photographic evidence, along with witness testimony, showing Indian police using pellet-firing shotguns, tear gas launchers, grenades, batons and electric shock devices against protesters in Delhi and Bihar.
One month after Indian police deployed unlawful and deadly force against peaceful protesters at the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)-led “Chalo Sansad” march, not a single officer in Delhi has been held accountable. https://t.co/tjK7i1Qiaz
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) August 24, 2026
Also Read: Indian Police Used Excessive Force Against Youth Protesters: Amnesty
The rights group said the weapons were deployed in ways that breached international law, international standards and domestic policing guidelines.
Amnesty also said it had verified two videos from protests in Bihar’s Siwan district on July 24 that showed a police officer using an AK-type assault rifle against protesters.
The organisation said it found no evidence of an imminent threat that could have justified the use of such a weapon.
Bihar Police told India’s Supreme Court that a constable had become trapped in the crowd and fired four rounds into the air. Police acknowledged that the AK-47 was a “platoon-level weapon” used for special operations rather than crowd control.
Aakar Patel, chair of the board of Amnesty International India, accused authorities of suppressing protesters’ right to demonstrate through communication blackouts, barricades and transport disruptions.
Also Read: India’s Youth Movement Warns of Fresh Protest over Modi Govt’s ‘Betrayal’
He also alleged that police used unnecessary or excessive force against peaceful protesters, including children.
Last week, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accompanied a 19-year-old protester who said he had been wounded by pellets during the July 20 march to a Delhi police station.
Fresh test for Modi government
The September 5 mobilisation could provide a fresh test for the Modi government after the July protests forced the education minister to step down.
The CJP said its patience should not be mistaken for weakness and called on the government to honour its commitments to India’s youth.
The group has evolved from an online joke into a youth-led pressure movement focused on examination reforms, unemployment, opportunities for young people and alleged police abuses.
