- The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called off its five-week protest after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, with celebratory scenes at Jantar Mantar.
- CJP founder Dipke declared the fight not over, vowing to seek compensation for suicide victims' families and action against police for excessive force.
India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following a five-week protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded reforms in the education system and accountability for exam paper leaks. The CJP, formed after derogatory remarks by the chief justice of India, celebrated the resignation as a victory for democracy.12
Pradhan announced his resignation on X, stating he was "pained by the events" and respected the aspirations of the youth. He emphasized the need to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation and to allow students to focus on their studies.
The protests gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk joined on June 28, initiating an indefinite hunger strike. The movement drew global attention, especially after a violent police crackdown on protesters, resulting in about 300 injuries and numerous arrests. Following the unrest, Prime Minister Modi announced the establishment of fast-track courts to address exam paper leaks.
Abhijeet Dipke, the CJP founder, stated that the fight continues, particularly for families of students who died by suicide after a key medical exam was canceled. He also called for accountability for police actions during the protests.3
The CJP has amassed a significant following, with 26 million Instagram followers, turning the term "cockroach" into a symbol of resilience against systemic issues in India's education sector.
“CJP founder Dipke vowed to continue fighting for compensation for families of students who died by suicide and action against police for excessive force after Pradhan's resignation. Thousands of jubilant supporters celebrated at Jantar Mantar, calling it a win for democracy.”
BBC
