Youth-Led Movement Demands Education Minister's Resignation: CJP's Nationwide Protest

CJP's Protest at Jantar Mantar

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, held a significant protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The group warned that if their demands are not met, the protest will escalate nationwide.

During a press briefing, CJP representatives Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das highlighted that the protest attracted participants from various states, marking the inception of a larger youth movement focused on educational and governance issues.

Initially launched as an online initiative in May, the CJP has amassed over 22 million followers on Instagram, rallying young people to join the protest in the capital over alleged discrepancies in exams and recruitment processes.

"We are giving the government a week to act. Dharmendra Pradhan must either resign or be dismissed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If we do not see his resignation within seven days, our movement will spread across the country," Ranka stated.

He mentioned that they have received numerous messages from supporters across states expressing their willingness to organize peaceful protests, and they plan to wait a week before deciding on their next steps.

Ranka characterized the turnout as a pivotal moment, indicating that young individuals are ready to unite around issues that impact them.

"June 6, 2026, will be a historic date as it signifies a shift in the political landscape of our country," he remarked, noting that many youths who were previously hesitant to protest had come together for this peaceful demonstration.

The organizers emphasized that this protest is a youth-driven initiative aimed at addressing concerns regarding the education system.

"It is time to overhaul our education system, and we have initiated that process today," Ranka asserted, stressing that the immediate goal is to secure Pradhan's resignation.

He argued that meaningful reforms in education cannot occur without the removal of the current minister.

"As long as this education minister remains, we cannot enhance the education system in our country," he added.

While the resignation demand is the primary focus, Ranka indicated that the campaign will extend beyond this issue.

"This is merely the beginning. There are numerous challenges facing the youth of this nation," he stated, emphasizing that educational concerns have not received sufficient attention.

When asked how to categorize the mobilization, Ranka described it as "a platform for the youth," "a collective for the youth," and "a movement for the youth," while leaving its future evolution open-ended.

The organizers dismissed any claims linking their mobilization to established political entities, branding themselves as "pro-youth, pro-education, pro-Constitution, and pro-India."

Ranka expressed that the turnout surpassed expectations and highlighted the peaceful nature of the gathering.

"Despite the large crowd, it was one of the most peaceful protests this country has witnessed in a long time," he noted.

"The youth of this nation carry the legacy of Gandhi and Ambedkar," he added, expressing gratitude to participants who traveled from various regions to join the event.

Saurav Das mentioned that individuals from states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and the Northeast participated in the protest.

He also pointed out the online support for the campaign, claiming that hundreds of thousands have signed petitions demanding the minister's resignation.

When asked if they would seek a meeting with Pradhan, Ranka replied, "Why doesn’t he just resign?"

Das noted that other student organizations have reached out to the minister regarding these issues but have received no response.

"The youth wants to engage in dialogue, but when the government remains silent, they take to the streets," Das remarked.

He also expressed appreciation for the Delhi Police's role in ensuring the demonstration remained peaceful.

"We are pleased that the Delhi Police prioritized a peaceful demonstration," he stated.

The protest was initiated by Dipke, who created the satirical online account for the Cockroach Janta Party amid calls for accountability in the education sector.

Earlier that day, Dipke had urged Pradhan to resign by 5 PM, with organizers later announcing a seven-day ultimatum for action from the minister or the government.