The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a student-led initiative that emerged following Chief Justice Surya Kant’s controversial comment referring to “youngsters like cockroaches” and was further propelled by the leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper, has managed to rally India’s Generation Z against corruption within the education sector.
The protests organized by the CJP at Jantar Mantar in Delhi led to notable political repercussions, including the unexpected resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a move that has eluded the opposition parties, including Congress, until now.
In an engaging dialogue with the Indian Express, CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka shared insightful observations about the challenges faced by the movement. He humorously remarked that the government met their demands because the CJP is perceived as the “B-team” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “However, I find such comparisons to be quite unjust,” he added. “People tend to focus on the end result without understanding the effort that went into achieving it.”
Ranka reflected on the arduous journey leading to their current standing, specifically mentioning the 37-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar that took place in June and July. He emphasized that during the past month, CJP leaders, including co-convener Saurav Das and legal affairs head Ratna Singh, engaged in extensive discussions with government officials, which went largely unreported.
“Organizing a protest in Delhi is no simple task; it demands substantial planning, mobilization, and effort,” he explained. “The struggles we faced during that month are known only to us.” He expressed frustration over public perceptions that the government readily accepted their demands, noting that for the first 37 days, there was no government engagement or dialogue until July 20.
“Throughout that time, we were labeled as viruses and terrorists while being subjected to violence,” Ranka stated, underscoring the need for context when evaluating their experience.
The CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar, reminiscent of the significant farmers’ protests against contentious laws in 2020 and 2021, started off peacefully but soon escalated into violence. According to Ranka and other members, the situation deteriorated following a harsh crackdown by the Delhi Police, which included lathi charges, tear gas, and reports of pellet guns causing injuries.
On July 25, the protest concluded after the government provided assurances, including the commitment to replace Pradhan as Union Education Minister and to drop charges against student protesters with no criminal records. Subsequently, Pradhan was replaced by Pralhad Joshi, although the process of dropping charges has been protracted. Frustrated by the delays, the CJP announced plans for a second march on September 5.
However, on September 2, the Supreme Court intervened, utilizing its special powers under Article 142 to dismiss all cases against the protesters. Following this development, Das informed the court that the march would be canceled.
Ranka expressed that the CJP felt the government had either been procrastinating or lacked genuine intent regarding the matter, which prompted the call for another march. With the Supreme Court’s recent assurances and the government’s commitments regarding case dismissals and compensations now documented, he conveyed optimism about future compliance. “I trust that the government will honor what has been stated in the Supreme Court. We hope it doesn’t escalate further. There is still a functioning democracy in the country, with respect for institutions, particularly the judiciary,” he remarked when discussing the potential for future protests.
When questioned about the CJP’s trust in the Delhi Police, which claimed that 2,800 “hardcore criminals” participated in the protests, Ranka responded, “The police made a distinction, stating that these individuals had committed severe crimes, such as murder and rape. Trust is a complex issue, and much work is needed to establish it. However, when statements are made in the highest court, we genuinely hope that the Delhi government and the Delhi Police will act accordingly.”
