(Photo credit: CJP/X) NEW DELHI: Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) gathered for the first time at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday, taking the social media campaign off screens and into its biggest real-world test.The participants mostly students, young professionals, and some schoolchildren accompanied by parents, assembled in the city’s designated protest zone wearing cockroach masks, holding flowers and national flags.’Today’s protest was just a trailer’CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who called for the protest, arrived in Delhi from the United States on Saturday morning and reached Jantar Mantar after receiving police permission.Sharing updates on the CJP’s official account, Dipke wrote, “FYI, today’s protest was just a trailer. Thank you for showing up in such huge numbers!””Going home to see my parents, it’s been more than a year since I last met them. They’ve suffered a lot over the last 15 days and had to leave home because of threats. Will be taking them back to home,” he added.From Boomers to GenZIn another post sharing a video of the gathering he said, “They said cockroaches will never come on the ground…”Another video shared by the CJP founder featured an elderly supporter with the caption, “Even the elders’ blessings are with the cockroach.”In the video, the man said he had joined the protest because when older generations support young people, it encourages them to move forward and strengthens their voice.The cockroaches’ rebellionProtesters raised slogans demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and also spoke against “Hindu-Muslim” politics, while chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”Dipke had instructed supporters to maintain discipline, urging them to only raise slogans hailing the country, Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, while opposing communal politics.Speaking to the crowd, he said, “This is not just the fear of my mother, this is the fear of the parents of any youngster who speaks on politics…. How long will we live in fear? Tell them, we are not scared.”He also alleged pressure and intimidation around the movement, saying, “My friends, this is a long struggle.””It has been a month since we started demanding Pradhan’s resignation on social media, but these individuals are so shameless that instead of taking action, they have been focussed on other distractions, like hacking our accounts and getting our posts deleted. You may be able to delete our posts, but you cannot erase us from this space,” he added.Support from activists and public figuresThe protest also saw participation from activist Sonam Wangchuk, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI leader Annie Raja, and other Left youth and student groups.Wangchuk said he was impressed by the peaceful nature of the protest and appreciated that authorities permitted it. He also said he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke is arrested.He thanked Dipke, calling him the “Cockroach-in-Chief,” and told protesters, “You did not keep sitting at home crying nor are you creating any ruckus on the road.”Wangchuk also said, “I hope that even in the future, it will allow such creative expressions.”The CJP, which has grown as a digital-first movement, continues to demand accountability in competitive examinations and recruitment processes, with its supporters calling the Delhi protest a symbolic shift from online activism to on-ground mobilisation.The protest, which began in the morning under heavy police deployment, saw supporters carrying posters and copies of the Constitution, chanting slogans and demanding accountability in alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC.Security was tightened across central Delhi, with over 1,000 police personnel deployed across key locations, including the protest site, airport and border entry points. Six people were detained as a precaution to prevent any potential law and order issues, officials said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTamil Nadu BJP Faces Resignation Wave as Annamalai’s New Movement Draws VolunteersSix Detained As CJP’s Jantar Mantar Protest Over NEET Leak Concludes Without Major ClashesAshwini Vaishnaw Unveils Bengal Bullet Train Plan, Targets Faster Northeast Connectivity‘Khan Sir Won’t Surrender In Patna Court, To File Anticipatory Bail Plea On 8 June’: LawyerPM Modi Chairs Economic Advisory Council Meet Amid West Asia CrisisStudents, Senior Citizens, Parents Join CJP Protest Against NEET Paper Leak Controversy | WatchBengal STF Recovers Arms Cache From TMC Leader’s Pond In Sandeshkhali, CM Suvendu Adhikari ReactsRamalinga Reddy Row Resolved After Late-Night Talks, DK Shivakumar Says ‘Everything Is Settled’Lalu Family Returns Security Personnel As Bihar Security Review Sparks Major Political Row’Netas’ Children Should Study In Govt Schools’: Sonam Wangchuk At CJP’s Jantar Mantar Protest123PhotostoriesGopika Gopi to Aneesh: Here’s a look at the commoner contestants of Bigg Boss Malayalam5 silent signs your body may be missing key nutrients, according to a neurologistWhy you should ‘marry for money’, according to a top divorce lawyerPrincess Diana’s most iconic fashion moments: 5 designers behind her legendary style12 must-follow emergency rules for modern apartments and gated real estate communities5 effective money habits that protect you from going brokeHow to respond to difficult people without getting triggered: 10 practical waysFrom Kedarnath to Kamakhya: 5 iconic hill temples in India to visit at least once in lifetimeInside Sunil Grover’s stunning two-storey dream home: A massive living room, artistic interiors and moreCan Jamun help control blood sugar? Expert explains its benefits for people with diabetes123Hot PicksSuryakumar YadavBengaluru Girl DeathKerala Student HospitalisedIran AttackKhan SirAnnamalaiKaru Nagarajan ResignRoger GoodellAIADMKTop TrendingCJP ProtestKarnataka Constable RecruitmentTS Inter Supplementary ResultsIndia vs Afghanistan ScoreAnnamalai BJP exitE85 FuelDelhi hotel fireKhan sir coaching fireDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan
NEW DELHI: Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) gathered for the first time at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday, taking the social media campaign off screens and into its biggest real-world test.The participants mostly students, young professionals, and some schoolchildren accompanied by parents, assembled in the city’s designated protest zone wearing cockroach masks, holding flowers and national flags.
‘Today’s protest was just a trailer’
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who called for the protest, arrived in Delhi from the United States on Saturday morning and reached Jantar Mantar after receiving police permission.Sharing updates on the CJP’s official account, Dipke wrote, “FYI, today’s protest was just a trailer. Thank you for showing up in such huge numbers!”“Going home to see my parents, it’s been more than a year since I last met them. They’ve suffered a lot over the last 15 days and had to leave home because of threats. Will be taking them back to home,” he added.
From Boomers to GenZ
In another post sharing a video of the gathering he said, “They said cockroaches will never come on the ground…”Another video shared by the CJP founder featured an elderly supporter with the caption, “Even the elders’ blessings are with the cockroach.”In the video, the man said he had joined the protest because when older generations support young people, it encourages them to move forward and strengthens their voice.
The cockroaches’ rebellion
Protesters raised slogans demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and also spoke against “Hindu-Muslim” politics, while chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”Dipke had instructed supporters to maintain discipline, urging them to only raise slogans hailing the country, Mahatma Gandhi and B R Ambedkar, while opposing communal politics.Speaking to the crowd, he said, “This is not just the fear of my mother, this is the fear of the parents of any youngster who speaks on politics…. How long will we live in fear? Tell them, we are not scared.”He also alleged pressure and intimidation around the movement, saying, “My friends, this is a long struggle.”“It has been a month since we started demanding Pradhan’s resignation on social media, but these individuals are so shameless that instead of taking action, they have been focussed on other distractions, like hacking our accounts and getting our posts deleted. You may be able to delete our posts, but you cannot erase us from this space,” he added.
Support from activists and public figures
The protest also saw participation from activist Sonam Wangchuk, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, CPI leader Annie Raja, and other Left youth and student groups.Wangchuk said he was impressed by the peaceful nature of the protest and appreciated that authorities permitted it. He also said he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke is arrested.He thanked Dipke, calling him the “Cockroach-in-Chief,” and told protesters, “You did not keep sitting at home crying nor are you creating any ruckus on the road.”Wangchuk also said, “I hope that even in the future, it will allow such creative expressions.”The CJP, which has grown as a digital-first movement, continues to demand accountability in competitive examinations and recruitment processes, with its supporters calling the Delhi protest a symbolic shift from online activism to on-ground mobilisation.The protest, which began in the morning under heavy police deployment, saw supporters carrying posters and copies of the Constitution, chanting slogans and demanding accountability in alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, including NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC.Security was tightened across central Delhi, with over 1,000 police personnel deployed across key locations, including the protest site, airport and border entry points. Six people were detained as a precaution to prevent any potential law and order issues, officials said.
