Banners of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), placards demanding fairness in the education system, chants of ‘I am cockroach’, and the Indian Constitution to fall back on — that’s what Thursday’s peaceful protest by and for youngsters looked like at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus.
Thousands Unite Against Exam Scams
Thousands of youngsters, many of them students affected by the recent examination paper leaks, united to question the failure that affected the NEET and FTII entrance tests, as well as the CBSE exams this year.
“We are demanding accountability, transparency, justice and strict action against those responsible. Paper leaks and exam scams cannot become the new normal,” said NEET aspirant Anwar Pasha, who will appear in the re-examination on June 21.
Peaceful Approach Stands Out
Besides the huge participation from the youth, specifically Gen Z, the protest also stood out for its peaceful approach.
Mukta Mohite, a student who called herself a cockroach, shared, “As a Gen Z and a student who has seen multiple issues affecting the education system in this year alone, I totally support this protest. The fact that this protest is based on the principles of non-violence is the best thing for me.”
Engineering student Vedant Lande added, “Everyone has just been playing blame games and nobody in the system is taking accountability. We are not hooligans who are here to create any ruckus or violence. We are here just to address our issues through peaceful means.”
Leaders Call for Parental Support
Abhijit Dipke, founder of CJP, also appealed to parents to encourage students to voice their concerns and participate in discussions around issues affecting education. Among those present at the gathering was activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, who applauded the youth choosing ahimsa to protest.
The protest highlighted the growing frustration among students over systemic failures, but also showcased their commitment to non-violent methods of dissent.
