In the rain-soaked streets of New Delhi, protesters from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have set up a persistent sit-in under the monsoon clouds. Their demands for education reform and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have drawn growing support, with the movement gaining national attention despite violent clashes with police.
The protests intensified after Monday's crackdown, where police used batons and tear gas to disperse crowds, resulting in at least 60 injuries. The makeshift tents and stages at Jantar Mantar were dismantled, but demonstrators refused to leave, maintaining a round-the-clock presence. The violence prompted the main opposition Congress party to join their cause on Tuesday, staging a protest near the prime minister’s residence.
Congress leaders, including MP Rahul Gandhi, were seen being dragged into buses by police and taken to detention centres. Though released, their actions signaled a shift in the movement’s public backing. Gandhi said the government must apologize to students for the crackdown and criticized the parliament speaker for refusing to allow debate on the matter. "The speaker said he needed to take permission from the government, but it was very clear to us that there was no interest in the government of having a debate," he said.
The government responds
Federal Minister Jitendra Singh denied Gandhi's allegations, stating the government had accepted a demand for discussion but accused Gandhi of changing the goalposts. External sources reported that Singh claimed the protest site was not conducive to demonstrations, though the Congress leadership insists the government ignored legitimate concerns.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan issued a public statement, criticizing the Congress for using students as "political tools". He said, "We owe our students more than outrage. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering." Pradhan made no direct reference to the CJP or the ongoing protests, though his resignation remains a key demand for the movement.
CJP's origins and growing influence
The CJP began as a satirical movement inspired by a comment from India's chief justice earlier this year, who used the term 'cockroach' to describe unemployed young people in journalism and activism. The remark sparked national outrage and led to the birth of the CJP. Though not a registered political party, the movement has demonstrated a strong ability to mobilize large crowds, particularly in Delhi and beyond.
Protests have spread to cities including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, indicating the movement's growing influence. The CJP gained international attention after education activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and began an indefinite hunger strike. Wangchuk was forcibly removed by police last Saturday and taken to hospital, where he continues his fast.
The stakes and the road ahead
The CJP's ability to persist despite police repression and government resistance suggests a deep public dissatisfaction with the current education policies. As the protests continue, the government's response will shape how the movement is perceived and whether it can secure tangible reforms. For now, the demonstrators remain on the streets, determined not to be silenced.
With national attention focused on Delhi, the coming days will test the government's tolerance for dissent and the movement's capacity to remain unified in the face of increasing pressure.