Cockroach Party Protesters Demand India Education Minister’s Resignation in New Delhi
6 verified5 unconfirmed
Hundreds of supporters of India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gathered in New Delhi on Saturday, banging steel plates with spoons to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest near Parliament, organized by the nascent movement, focused on allegations of examination irregularities and repeated paper leaks. Authorities deployed heavy security and used cameras and drones to monitor the crowd. The exam paper for a nationwide medical program was leaked last month via the social media app Telegram, prompting authorities to postpone the exam and temporarily ban Telegram in India. The government has stated the leak is under investigation. The CJP, which began in May after a Supreme Court judge’s remarks comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” has grown to become a vocal force on issues including unemployment and government accountability. The movement mixes self-deprecating humor with political criticism, with supporters embracing the cockroach as a symbol of resilience.
What’s verified
Supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protested in New Delhi on Saturday, June 20, 2026, banging steel plates with spoons.
The protest demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination irregularities and paper leaks.
The exam paper for a nationwide medical program was leaked last month via the social media app Telegram, leading to the exam’s postponement and a temporary ban on Telegram in India.
Hundreds of students and young supporters participated in the protest near Parliament.
Authorities deployed heavy security, including cameras and drones, to monitor the event.
The CJP movement emerged in May after Supreme Court Judge Surya Kant’s comments comparing some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” sparked outrage; supporters adopted the term as a symbol of resilience.
Not yet confirmed
One source reported that the CJP has amassed more than 22 million followers on Instagram.
One source reported that the protest was the CJP's second major protest in New Delhi, following earlier protests in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow and Amritsar.
One source reported that CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting 11 student suicides due to exam stress.
One source reported that activist Sonam Wangchuk was expected to attend the protest.
Neither source confirmed whether the education minister has responded to the resignation demand.
Key figures
Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister of India
Deepak Kumar, CJP supporter (quoted in one source)
Vicky Kumar, student (quoted in one source)
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
Surya Kant, Supreme Court Judge
Sources: abcnews.com, dw.com
