The ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ has garnered millions of followers on social media since its launch last month.
Young students gathered in New Delhi on Saturday for the first street protest by the satirical “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) over alleged irregularities in recent major examinations.
Carrying paper cockroach masks and pamphlets, the protesters called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who has faced criticism over the irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches.
The CJP has garnered millions of followers on social media since its launch last month.
Modi’s government has blocked the movement’s X account in the country, a move the CJP has challenged in a Delhi court.
Political analysts say the group’s popularity has begun to dent Modi’s image despite his party’s recent victories in key state elections, even as wider frustration grows over rising fuel prices and gas shortages brought by the Iran war.
Abhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), holds a copy of “My Autobiography” by Dr. BR Ambedkar as he gestures towards his supporters upon his arrival at an airport in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersAbhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), holds a copy of “My Autobiography” by Dr. BR Ambedkar upon his arrival at an airport in New Delhi, India, June 6, 2026. —ReutersSupporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gather during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersA person wearing a mask holds a poster which reads “I am a Cockroach”, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) await the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, head of the CJP, on the day of a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersSupporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gather during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersAbhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), speaks to supporters of the CJP during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersCockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke (C, right) shouts slogans during a protest over alleged irregularities in the country’s major examinations, in New Delhi on June 6, 2026. —AFPAbhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), requests supporters to maintain peace during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersA person wears a cockroach themed mask, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) await the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, head of the CJP, on the day of a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersAbhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), speaks to supporters of the CJP during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersA person wears a cockroach themed mask, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) await the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, head of the CJP, on the day of a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India, June 6, 2026. — ReutersCockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke (C) takes part in a protest over alleged irregularities in the country’s major examinations, in New Delhi on June 6, 2026. —AFPCockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters shout slogans during a protest over alleged irregularities in the country’s major examinations, in New Delhi on June 6, 2026. —AFPSupporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gather during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India on June 6, 2026. —ReutersA person holds a cockroach themed mask, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) await the arrival of Abhijeet Dipke, head of the CJP, on the day of a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India, June 6, 2026. — Reuters
Header image: A girl wears a cockroach themed mask, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) listen to Abhijeet Dipke, head of the CJP, during a sit-in protest demanding the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in New Delhi, India, June 6, 2026. — Reuters
