Dipke, who arrived in India on Saturday morning, warned that the organisation would launch a nationwide agitation if Dharmendra Pradhan failed to resign by 5 p.m. The protest comes amid growing criticism directed at the Education Ministry and its departments over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and alleged irregularities in the Central Board of Secondary Education's On-Screen Marking system, which was used for both evaluation and re-evaluation of Class 12 board examination papers.
The participation of Sonam Wangchuk added significant attention to the demonstration. The 59-year-old activist from Ladakh, who was detained for six months following his arrest in September during deadly protests demanding greater autonomy for the region, joined the gathering after previously expressing support for the campaign.
In a statement issued earlier on social media, Wangchuk declared that he would join members of the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi if no action was taken by June 5. He argued that any minister with self-respect should resign if such serious failures occur, citing the impact on millions of students and the future of the country.
Wangchuk also stressed that his concerns extended beyond the NEET paper leak controversy and the debate surrounding the Central Board of Secondary Education's evaluation process. He said that after spending four decades working to improve education in government schools located in remote regions, he was disappointed by the lack of meaningful change and felt compelled to act.
The Cockroach Janta Party was initially formed as a satirical response to remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing last month, when certain individuals were reportedly referred to as "cockroaches" and "parasites." Since then, the organisation has evolved into a structured campaign and has rapidly expanded its presence, particularly among young people.
Its popularity has surged through the slogan describing it as a political platform for the youth, by the youth, and for the youth. The party's social media influence has grown significantly, with its Instagram account surpassing 22 million followers. The figure is more than double the Bharatiya Janata Party's nine million followers on the platform and exceeds the Congress party's 13 million followers.
Ahead of the protest, the organisation announced three spokespersons to strengthen its public outreach efforts. In a social media post, the group named investigative journalist Saurav Das as its chief spokesperson. Political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya, along with former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka, were also appointed to represent the organisation before the public and the media.
Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old founder of the movement, hails from Maharashtra. He completed his undergraduate degree in journalism in Pune before moving to the United States for higher studies. Most recently, he completed a two-year master's degree in Public Relations from Boston University.
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked with the Aam Aadmi Party, where he was involved in social media management and election campaign activities. His emergence as the face of the rapidly growing Cockroach Janta Party has drawn significant public attention as the organisation seeks to position itself at the centre of youth-driven political discourse.
The protest at Jantar Mantar marks a major moment in the evolution of the Cockroach Janta Party from an online movement into a visible political campaign. With growing support, high-profile participation, and demands focused on accountability in the education sector, the organisation has intensified pressure on the government amid continuing controversy over examination-related issues.
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