Cockroach Janata Party Attempts March to Indian Parliament; Security Forces Use Baton Charge and Tear Gas
On Monday, the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) in India attempted to lead thousands of people marching towards the Parliament building, demanding reforms in the education system. The demonstrators included students, parents, activists, and party leaders. A large crowd had gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the designated protest site, where hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed.
Video footage released by the ANI news agency shows security forces using baton charges to disperse CJP supporters. As protesters tried to advance, the police also deployed tear gas. Tensions escalated after security personnel forcibly took Sonam Wangchuk, an educationist and activist on hunger strike for 21 days in support of the CJP, to the hospital on Saturday. Wangchuk has continued his hunger strike even in the hospital. Delhi police have stated that the march was not granted permission; however, according to CJP spokespersons, protesters moved forward towards Parliament despite the lack of official approval.
The CJP was founded by Abhijit Deepak. Although called a party, CJP is not a registered political organization. The group emerged in May as a satirical online movement protesting exam paper leaks and irregularities. Since then, it has garnered widespread support. The protestors demand that Dharmendra Pradhan be held accountable for irregularities in the education sector and resign. Pradhan has criticized the CJP and its supporters as “a B-team of unruly elements.”
Saurav Das claims that the police have taken founder Abhijit Deepak into custody. He has called on all Members of Parliament to support the students who have taken to the streets. Das further alleged that security forces assaulted peaceful protesters. While political demonstrations are common in Delhi, the combination of strict security measures and bans on public gatherings has meant that such a large protest has not been seen in recent years.
Monday’s events are being regarded as among the largest public protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the capital. Saurav Das also claimed that he and another CJP spokesperson, Ashutosh Rank, met with Health Minister JP Nadda. He stated, “When we presented our memorandum, he assured us that internal discussions would follow.” Protesters in Delhi vociferously demanded the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan during the demonstrations.
