CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke: ‘Gen Z Protests Prove We’re Alive, Not Insects’.

Cockroach Janta Party leader says youth movement aims at accountability, not politics; calls Jantar Mantar rally ‘just a trailer’.

New Delhi, – Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said his group’s first street protest at Jantar Mantar was meant to show that India’s Generation Z “may be called insects, but we are alive” and unwilling to stay silent on education and unemployment issues. 

'Trailer, Not the Full Film’

Dipke, 30, flew in from Boston to lead Saturday’s rally demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC exams. Addressing supporters wearing cockroach masks, he said: “FYI, today’s protest was just a trailer. Thank you for showing up in such huge numbers!”.

Message to Gen Z

The CJP began as an online satire movement after remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant compared unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”. Dipke said the party “expresses the dissent of young people against the statement… It was unacceptable in a democracy like India”

He framed the movement as a “youth pressure group” focused on issues, not party banners. “This is not a fear that just my mother has. In this country, if any student or youth speaks on politics, speaks against this government, their mother fears they will be thrown behind bars,”Dipke told the crowd. 

‘Resistance and Existence’

At the rally, Dipke argued that public demonstrations prove young citizens remain engaged: “Participation in demonstrations proves that people remain engaged and aware of their rights… public movements demonstrate resilience and determination among young citizens.”

He added that _“you can delete our post but you cannot erase us,”_ referring to the blocking of CJP’s X account in India on May 21. 

Beyond Online to On-Ground

CJP claims over 22 million followers on Instagram and says it represents “anger over a jobless future and a corrupt education system”. The group gave the government a 7-day deadline for Pradhan’s resignation, warning that “if no action is taken, this movement will spread across the country.”

Dipke, a former AAP communications member now pursuing a master’s at Boston University, stressed CJP “was not designed as a political party”. Three spokespersons Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka were named to lead communication. 

The protest drew students, young professionals, and parents. Elderly supporters also joined, with one saying older generations backing youth “strengthens their voice.”