The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) aims to transform the political landscape in India, according to spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, who shared insights with Srirupa Goswami of the Indian Express.

Ranka asserted that the CJP has made significant strides in reshaping political conversations, stating, “We certainly possess political ambitions, particularly in terms of altering the current political dynamics in the country.”

In response to remarks from Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk, who suggested in a recent podcast that CJP members harbor political aspirations, Ranka clarified, “We have consistently emphasized that our fight is to reform the political fabric of this nation. Our goal is to prevent politics from continuing in its traditional manner, which has largely overlooked fundamental issues.” He pointed out the lack of parliamentary discussions on significant matters, like paper leaks, prior to the emergence of the CJP movement. “When was the last time these issues were raised in Parliament? I cannot recall any discussions before CJP initiated its movement,” he added.

Wangchuk has become a notable figure in the CJP’s protests at Jantar Mantar, which aim to highlight critical issues such as education and job opportunities. His participation in a hunger strike during these demonstrations significantly elevated the visibility of the group’s demands.

During the interview, Ranka also corrected the number of schools involved in the CJP’s ‘School Thik Karo’ initiative from 1,500 to 15,000. This campaign involves conducting audits of government schools, which Ranka described as revealing a “critical condition” within the country’s educational system.

He remarked, “The primary takeaway is that the situation is dire. While we often discuss the demographic dividend, the reality on the ground is starkly different.” Ranka noted that approximately 80 to 90 percent of the schools assessed were in what he termed “pathetic condition.” This is particularly alarming given that a significant portion of India’s population resides in rural areas, where government schools are typically the main avenue for education and social mobility.

“The majority of the population still lives in rural regions, where the only path to upward mobility is through education, predominantly provided by government schools,” he explained.

Ranka emphasized that the purpose of the school audits was not solely to identify infrastructure deficiencies or to repair individual schools. Rather, the CJP aims to empower local communities to hold government officials, school administrators, and education authorities accountable.