Jantar Mantar Sees Unusual ‘Cockroach Party’ Protest, Sonam Wangchuk Extends Support

Cockroach Janta Party’ Takes Protest to Streets, Draws Students and Parents to Jantar Mantar

What began as a satirical social media campaign has now spilled onto the streets of the national capital. Hundreds of students, parents and young professionals gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday for the first major public mobilisation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that has gained traction online over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment processes.

The protest, held under heavy security deployment, saw participants wearing cockroach masks, carrying books, flowers and the national flag as they demanded greater accountability in examinations and recruitment tests. Protesters also renewed calls for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The gathering marked a significant milestone for the movement, which emerged on social media weeks ago and rapidly evolved into a nationwide campaign driven largely by students and young job aspirants.

From Social Media Campaign to Mass Mobilisation

Founded by content creator Abhijeet Dipke, the movement initially emerged as a satirical response to remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Over time, however, it expanded its focus to concerns surrounding examination management, recruitment delays, unemployment and governance issues affecting young people.

Saturday’s event represented the movement’s first large-scale attempt to translate online support into a visible presence on the ground.

Arriving in Delhi ahead of the protest, Dipke reiterated his demand for the education minister’s resignation, claiming that students’ concerns had gone unanswered despite weeks of online campaigning.

Addressing supporters at Jantar Mantar, he accused authorities of focusing on curbing social media activity linked to the movement rather than engaging with the issues being raised.

Dipke told supporters that the campaign was a long-term struggle and insisted that while online content could be removed, public sentiment could not be silenced. He also said he had anticipated possible action against him upon arriving in Delhi and was prepared to face consequences for the cause.

Symbolism Defines the Protest

The demonstration was marked by a distinctive visual identity that has become synonymous with the movement.

Many participants wore cockroach masks, while others carried books and copies of the Constitution. Protesters also brought flowers, which organisers encouraged them to offer to police personnel as a gesture of peaceful engagement.

School students attended alongside their parents, while college students, recent graduates and young professionals formed a large section of the crowd.

Throughout the day, slogans demanding transparency, fairness and accountability in examinations and recruitment procedures echoed across the protest site.

Sonam Wangchuk Extends Support

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk expressed support for the movement and appealed to participants to maintain peaceful conduct during the demonstration.

Dipke thanked Wangchuk during his address and informed supporters that the activist would be joining the gathering. Wangchuk had earlier stated that he would undertake a six-week fast if action was taken against the movement’s founder.

Tight Security Across Delhi

Authorities mounted an extensive security operation ahead of the protest, deploying more than 1,000 police personnel across central Delhi and other sensitive locations.

Additional security arrangements were made at Indira Gandhi International Airport, key transit hubs and entry points into the capital. Around 40 companies of paramilitary personnel were also deployed to support Delhi Police, according to sources.

Multiple layers of barricades were erected around Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, while senior officers remained stationed at the venue throughout the day. Security was also strengthened outside the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a precautionary measure.

Officials said social media activity related to the protest was being monitored closely and reserve forces were kept on standby.

Political Voices Join In

The movement has also begun attracting political attention.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar expressed support for the demonstration, saying the turnout reflected growing frustration among young people over examination-related controversies and broader concerns about employment opportunities.

As the protest continued, organisers repeatedly urged participants to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation.

While it remains unclear whether the movement will translate its growing visibility into sustained political influence, Saturday’s turnout underscored its ability to mobilise large numbers of young people and transform an online campaign into a nationwide street movement.