NEW DELHI: Thousands of young people gathered in New Delhi over the weekend for the first public protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that began as a social media joke but has rapidly gained support across India.
The movement was founded by Abhijeet Dipke, an Indian graduate based in the United States, after remarks comparing unemployed youth to “parasites” and “cockroaches” sparked outrage online. What started as a satirical campaign quickly evolved into a broader platform highlighting concerns over unemployment, education reforms and opportunities for young people.
Addressing supporters at the protest, Dipke said the movement aimed to represent citizens who felt ignored by the political system. Demonstrators carried copies of India’s constitution and flowers, describing the gathering as a peaceful call for accountability and reform.
The CJP’s popularity has surged on social media, attracting millions of followers within weeks. Supporters say the movement reflects growing frustration among India’s youth over high unemployment levels, examination controversies and the rising costs associated with higher education and competitive test preparation.
A major focus of the protest was criticism of repeated examination paper leak scandals, including issues surrounding the country’s highly competitive medical entrance tests. Demonstrators also called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that authorities had failed to address systemic problems within the education sector.
Political analysts say it remains unclear whether the movement can transform online support into a sustained political force. However, the large turnout in Delhi highlighted growing dissatisfaction among sections of India’s younger generation and signalled a new challenge to the country’s political establishment.
