The founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, Abhijeet Dipke, announced on Friday that he is traveling to India to lead a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. His primary demand is the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing alleged irregularities in several national-level examinations, including NEET, CUET, CBSE, and SSC GD.
Journey and Plans
In a post on X, Dipke stated, "On my way to India. Leaving my fate in the hands of the Constitution." He is expected to arrive in India on June 6 and has outlined a peaceful protest campaign to seek Pradhan's resignation over what he describes as systemic failures in the country's examination system. Earlier this week, he called on students and supporters to join the movement, linking his demand to controversies surrounding these exams.
According to Dipke, these issues have adversely affected the futures of millions of students and raised serious questions about accountability within the education system. He urged supporters not to gather at Delhi airport, as the overwhelming response to his campaign could inconvenience passengers and security personnel. In a video message on X, he said, "The overwhelming response from those who want the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan to our call to join us at Delhi Airport was beyond our imagination. It is not feasible for so many people to assemble at the airport as it would cause inconvenience to the public and the security forces. So please do not come to Delhi airport."
Protest Strategy
Instead, Dipke stated he would proceed directly to the Parliament Street Police Station after landing to seek official permission for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. He emphasized that the movement would remain peaceful and operate within the legal framework. "I will be going to the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission directly for our peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. We are law-abiding citizens and have to act responsibly. So please be mindful that nobody should create any kind of disturbance," he said.
Dipke has repeatedly stressed that the campaign will focus on democratic and constitutional means of protest rather than confrontation. Earlier this week, he argued that students affected by the NEET, CBSE, CUET, and SSC GD controversies deserve accountability from those responsible for conducting the examinations. "Today, NEET's 22 lakh students, CBSE's 17 lakh students, CUET's 16 lakh students and SSC GD's 40 lakh students — more than one crore students whose lives have been mocked by the system. Because of this, students are very anxious and worried about their future. Someone has to take responsibility for this," he said. He further contended that the education minister should be held accountable for alleged lapses in the examination process.
Party Appointments and Personal Concerns
Amid preparations for the protest, the Cockroach Janta Party on Wednesday appointed three official spokespersons: Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka. Dipke also revealed that his family, particularly his parents, are concerned he might face legal action upon his return to India. However, he remains committed to the protest and hopes authorities will allow it to proceed peacefully in accordance with constitutional and democratic principles.
