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In Delhi, India’s capital, security has been tightened in response to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest.
The largest online youth campaign in India, initially started as a joke, has taken to the streets for the first time.
CJP founder Abhijeet Deepak arrived in Delhi from the United States on Saturday morning and headed to Jantar Mantar.
Authorities have deployed a large number of security personnel. Many journalists are also present. According to reports, the number of young protesters is increasing.
Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also come to Jantar Mantar to counter the CJP.
Police have prevented them from protesting and escorted them outside.
The Cockroach Janata Party took its name from the Chief Justice of India, who compared unemployed youth to “cockroaches.”
Since launching last month, the campaign has gained nearly 22 million followers on Instagram.
It has become one of the largest expressions of dissent against the government.
Protest at Jantar Mantar: ‘Love and Peaceful’
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Security at Indira Gandhi International Airport was stepped up as campaign founder Abhijeet Deepak arrived in Delhi from the US on Saturday.
Upon exiting the airport, Deepak told media, “Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. Five students have already committed suicide.”
He also mentioned the students who took their lives after the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) question paper leak.
From there, he proceeded to the protest site at Jantar Mantar and raised slogans with supporters.
He said, “For the past five to ten days, people have been asking me if running a social media page really makes a difference. Look through the camera, see how many cockroaches have come out of their homes to Jantar Mantar.”
Educationist and Ladakh environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk had indicated that police might arrest Deepak.
“Let’s hope for the best but prepare for the worst; let’s make this the most peaceful movement in India’s history,” she wrote on social platform X on Friday night, “Please take care — no rumors from bad elements.”
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However, the anticipated arrest did not happen. Founder Deepak has reached Delhi as planned and has been posting updates regularly on social media.
He called for the protest to remain peaceful. “Please do not forget to bring books and our flags,” he wrote, “We will offer flowers to the police, symbolizing compassion and gratitude; we must move the movement forward with love and peace.”
It was previously expected that the Cockroach Janata Party would not be allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar.
Is This the Gen Z Movement?
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Priyanka Chaturvedi, leader of Shiv Sena and former Rajya Sabha member, praised the Delhi police for working correctly by granting permission for the protest.
On the social network X, she wrote, “Possibly, for the first time, the Delhi police has done the right thing.”
She reminded that the true test will be how online support translates into street impact.
“Now let’s see if the online support becomes a real power on the streets,” she added.
The satirical social media campaign, the “Cockroach Janata Party,” has shifted from the virtual world to the real world, taking to the streets.
On its X handle ‘cockroach is bank,’ CJP posted, “The time has come – to transform this little joke into a movement.”
Prominent senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan has termed this as a Gen Z movement.
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On social media, he highlighted rampant corruption, unemployment, daily scams, the collapse of foreign policy, and increased dependency on the US.
“Institutions such as the Election Commission, judiciary, and media have weakened. We are surrounded by a severe storm. The Cockroach Janata Party is a natural outcome,” he said, “This Gen Z movement requires thoughtful support and guidance.”
Political analyst Yogendra Yadav urged opposition parties to back the CJP campaign.
He posted a video on X urging, regardless of the party name, everyone must stand united.
“The country is bigger than the party. We must all come together to save this country,” he appealed.
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