Cockroach Janata Party's Delhi Protest: Full List Of Do's And Don'ts Issued For Supporters

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is set to hold its first protest at 9 am on June 6 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, marking a significant moment for a satirical online page that began as a "joke" and rapidly gained traction, evolving into a nationwide campaign and is now taking to the streets to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures in the Indian education system.

The protest has been organised by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who is expected to arrive in the national capital around 8 am on Saturday from Boston. The planned "peaceful sit-in-protest" will primarily focus on what the party describes as a series of controversies surrounding major competitive examinations, including NEET, SSC and CBSE, which have affected lakhs of students across the country.

"On my way to India... Leaving my fate in the hands of the Constitution. #JaiBhim," Dipke said in a post on X.

Ahead of the proposed protest, the group's spokespersons, investigative journalist Saurav Das and former McKinsey consultant and AAP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka, issued a list of dos and don'ts for participants "to ensure the movement remains peaceful, disciplined, and respectful of public order".

The political group has asked supporters to assemble at Parliament Street Police Station at 9 am, from where permission for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will be sought. Participants have been encouraged to carry the national flag and a book as symbols of support for education and equal opportunity. Protesters were also advised to record the event peacefully, report any suspicious activity to the police, and take precautions against the summer heat by carrying water, wearing caps and applying sunscreen.

In addition, the party urged supporters to attend with their families rather than participate alone. It also advised them not to engage with "trolls or provocateurs", avoid arriving on an empty stomach, and offer flowers to police personnel. A special appeal was also issued requesting supporters "not to gather at Indira Gandhi International Airport" to welcome Dipke upon his arrival from the United States.

"Tomorrow, we will reset the education system of this country... make sure that our voices can't be ignored anymore... we reclaim this democracy and this beautiful nation of ours," Ranka said.

"Our main demand is that there should be some accountability in the system. A total of 8 lakh people have signed a petition asking for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. There is not a single answer from their side. Two officers have been transferred; this is not a punishment, as they weren't even suspended. We are seeking accountability from the system. You have seen the support we are getting all over the country," Das said.

At a recent press conference held at the Constitution Club of India, party representatives said the protest would be open to individuals from all political backgrounds. Das, who has been named the party's chief spokesperson, emphasised that the movement is centred on accountability in education rather than partisan politics.

"We have given an open call. Anybody can join us without a party banner. We are ready to have a dialogue with everybody, be it those in power or the Opposition," Das said.