The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led satirical movement that has rapidly amassed over 20 million Instagram followers in a matter of weeks, announced on Wednesday the appointment of three spokespersons. The movement stated that this step is part of its effort to "build a new generation of leadership" and "change the political discourse of India."
Journalist Saurav Das has been appointed as the chief spokesperson, while political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka will serve as spokespersons.
These appointments come ahead of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's return to India on June 6. Dipke had told TOI from the United States on Tuesday that although he fears arrest upon landing in India, he is returning to exercise his "fundamental and constitutional right to protest peacefully." The organization has called for a march in Delhi demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related lapses, including the recent NEET-UG controversy.
Dipke has urged supporters to gather at the airport before accompanying him to the Parliament Street police station to seek permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar. Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has expressed his support and said he will join the protest.
Announcing the appointments, the organization said that the three office bearers would "speak on behalf of the movement... CJP is committed to changing the political discourse of India, and this will be led by a new generation of leaders."
Das was among those who led the anti-pollution protests at India Gate in November 2025. Dahiya, a writer, filmmaker, and content creator, is an alumna of Delhi Technological University, according to CJP. Ranka studied at IIT Kanpur and the London School of Economics before joining McKinsey & Company in London. According to the organization, he advised international organizations on operational and economic strategy before returning to India last year.
The CJP movement has so far relied largely on online mobilization and protest campaigns. These appointments mark the first time CJP has formally designated spokespersons in an effort to institutionalize the movement and drive public opinion.
