Watching the Cockroach Janta Party – cautiously

A youth-led protest under the name Cockroach Janta Party took place in Delhi on May 28, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The campaign, launched by political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke, gained traction after Chief Justice Surya Kant’s remarks on May 15, where he allegedly compared unemployed youngsters to 'cockroaches'. Though Kant later claimed he was misquoted, the damage was done, sparking outrage among India’s Gen Z population. The protest follows recent controversies, including a paper leak in the NEET exam affecting 22 lakh candidates and allegations of mismanagement in the CBSE’s on-screen marking system. A CVoter poll conducted on May 28 showed 66% of respondents, including 58.2% of BJP voters, support Pradhan’s resignation and the dismantling of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The campaign reflects broader frustrations among young Indians, including rising unemployment, stagnant wages, crumbling infrastructure, and economic struggles worsened by the war in West Asia. Dipke, who initiated the movement while studying in Boston, described the Cockroach Janta Party as a platform to restore integrity to politics and hold the government accountable. Another CVoter survey from May 22–23 revealed over 60% of respondents aged 18–34 believe the campaign can influence real politics. While the movement’s grievances are valid, observers note it must be viewed cautiously, drawing parallels to past youth-led movements like the 2011 anti-corruption protests that preceded the BJP’s rise to power in 2014.