Cakes, diapers and lectures – protesting ‘cockroaches’ dig in their heels in India

A youth-led social movement in India, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), is employing unconventional tactics to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The group accuses him of failing to prevent widespread competitive exam paper leaks, which have led to exam cancellations and student distress, including suicides.

On June 26, Pradhan's birthday, CJP representatives delivered a chocolate cake to his office with a message reading "Pradhan Go Back!!" Ashutosh Ranka, a CJP spokesman, stated in a video posted online, "This is our gift for you. Now you, too, give us a gift: give up your post. Stop playing around with the (future of the) youth." The post garnered nearly 300,000 likes.

The CJP is maintaining pressure with a sit-in protest in New Delhi, which entered its eighth day on June 27. The movement aims to grow into a national campaign for government accountability. The CJP originated on May 16, following remarks by Indian Chief Justice Surya Kant, who reportedly referred to unemployed youth as "parasites" and "cockroaches" during a court hearing. Although the judge later claimed he was misquoted, the incident fueled the movement's growth.

Propelled by youth anger over exam leaks and broader unemployment challenges, the CJP has amassed over 22.1 million followers on Instagram, surpassing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's following. The movement has organized protests in various Indian cities, attracting significant crowds. However, with the government showing no signs of yielding, questions are arising about the CJP's future strategy and its ability to sustain the standoff.

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This is our gift for you. Now you, too, give us a gift: give up your post. Stop playing around with the (future of the) youth