At first presser, Cockroach Janta Party calls on youngsters to join Saturday protest in Delhi
The movement called the Centre's transfer of CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta as an "eyewash."
Cockroach Janta Party spokespersons Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka during a press briefing at the Constitution Club of India, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)
Exhorting young people across India to join its protest in Delhi on Saturday, June 6, Cockroach Janta Party said it was open to dialogue with both the government and the opposition. Hours earlier on Wednesday, an investigative journalist, an author and an IIT-ian had been named spokespersons by the CJP, the youth-led protest movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke.
In its first press conference, CJP called the Centre’s transfer of CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh and Secretary Himanshu Gupta an “eyewash”, arguing that the action did not address deeper systemic problems in the education sector. “We are demanding accountability in the system. The transfers are being projected as action. It’s not. There’s a rot in the system,” it said.
Addressing the press at the Constitution Club of India on Wednesday, chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the movement was open to dialogue. “Anybody can join us without a party banner. We are ready to have a dialogue with everybody, be it those in power or the Opposition,” Das said.
Meet Cockroach Janta Party’s spokespersons
Investigative journalist Saurav Das has been appointed chief spokesperson, while political researcher, author and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya and former McKinsey consultant and IIT Kanpur alumnus Ashutosh Ranka will also represent the movement, the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
In a statement on X, CJP said the spokespersons will represent the movement before the public and media as it seeks to “change the political discourse of India” through a new generation of leaders.
Cockroach Janta Party announces three spokespersons who will speak on behalf of the protest movement to the public and the media.
Investigative journalist Saurav Das will take on the role of Chief Spokesperson. Political researcher, author and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya, and an…
— Cockroach is Back (@Cockroachisback) June 3, 2026
Protest plans announced
Details of the “plan of action” were announced in Das’ address in a press conference on Wednesday in Delhi, where he presented the outline for founder Abhijeet Dipke’s arrival in the national capital, and their strategy to head towards Jantar Mantar subsequently.
Das said Dipke is scheduled to land in Delhi at 8 am on June 6 and has called on supporters to gather at the airport before proceeding towards Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Das said activist Sonam Wangchuk will join them. “We invite everyone from all political parties to be part of the protest,” PTI reported him saying.
VIDEO | Delhi: Investigative journalist Saurav Das, who is serving as chief spokesperson of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) addressing a press conference says, “Abhijeet Dipke will land in Delhi on June 6 morning at 8 AM. He has called upon his supporters to come to the airport and… pic.twitter.com/tnEc0eeyht
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 3, 2026
Protest to ask Education Minister’s resignation
The planned protest centres on a demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over issues including the NEET paper leak controversy.
Dipke, currently based in Boston, had told The Indian Express earlier that he intends to stage a peaceful sit-in at Jantar Mantar and is prepared for possible police action, including detention.
What is the Cockroach Janta Party?
The Cockroach Janta Party emerged in May after a courtroom remark by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who compared some youth to “cockroaches” during a Supreme Court hearing. The comment sparked criticism and online satire, prompting Boston-based communications professional Abhijeet Dipke to launch the CJP as a social media-driven platform for political commentary and youth mobilisation.
The group rapidly gained traction online, attracting millions of followers across platforms and positioning itself as a voice for student and youth concerns. Its website and X account were later blocked in India following a government directive issued on grounds of “national security concerns”. The account in use now on X is a renewed one, following the ban.
Wangchuk backs movement
The movement has also received support from climate activist and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk. Wangchuk said he would join the June 6 protest if Pradhan does not resign by June 5, adding that he was convinced the group represented concerns of Indian youth rather than any external agenda.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka rejected suggestions that the movement was linked to any political party, saying past affiliations of individual members were irrelevant. “This fight is bigger than that. CJP is bigger than an individual or any organisation,” he said.
Another spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, said the response to the movement reflected wider frustration among young people. “The way this movement has captured the imagination shows that an entire generation is dissatisfied with the state of affairs,” he said.
Dipke first announced his return to India earlier this week, urging supporters to join what he described as a peaceful constitutional movement focused on accountability in the education sector.
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