South Africa tour of India 2019
Cockroach Janta Party Protest Draws Hundreds in Delhi
Hundreds of students and young professionals gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday to participate in a demonstration organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led online movement demanding accountability in examinations and recruitment processes. The protest was led by the movement’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and attracted participants from different parts of the country.
Many demonstrators arrived wearing symbolic cockroach masks and carrying flowers, while several school students attended alongside their parents. Protesters raised slogans and called for greater transparency in examinations such as NEET, CBSE, CUET, and SSC, alleging irregularities and demanding reforms. Some participants also demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Ahead of the demonstration, Dipke appealed to supporters to maintain discipline and ensure that the protest remained peaceful. Through social media posts, he encouraged attendees to bring books and the Indian national flag while urging them to offer flowers to police personnel as a gesture of respect and appreciation. According to him, the movement seeks change through non-violent and constructive engagement.
The protest also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who stated that he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke were arrested. His backing further increased public attention on the demonstration.
Given expectations of a large turnout, authorities implemented extensive security arrangements across the national capital. Additional personnel were deployed at major transit points, including the airport and border entry locations. Reports indicated that over 1,000 police personnel were assigned to maintain law and order in sensitive areas.
The gathering remained focused on demands for fairness and transparency in educational and recruitment systems. Organizers repeatedly emphasized peaceful conduct, hoping to draw attention to student concerns while avoiding confrontation with law enforcement agencies.
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