The Cockroach Janta Party has been at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi since June 06, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The movement started as a satirical online campaign over remarks by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant against youths, and later demanded accountability for the NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks.
It has now snowballed into a protest involving Ladakhi climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who began a hunger strike on June 28, 2026. Mr Wangchuk was forcibly taken to the Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital by Delhi Police personnel in the wee hours of June 18. Abhijeet Dipke, CJP’s founder, is now on a hunger strike and called for a ‘night vigil.’
“Delhi Police is planning to crackdown on our protest during night or early hours of morning-silencing the voice of the youth. We request everyone to join us for night vigil at Jantar Mantar, so that together we can march to Sansad on 20th,” he said in a video posted on the CJP’s social media.
The Hindu visited the protest site. Here are a few glimpses.
A protestor makes a poster saying “Black Day of Democracy…”
Posters spread out at Jantar Mantar
A family at the protest.
Man holding a poster with a version of Adam Gondvi's poetry.
People socialising in front of the dias at Jantar Mantar
Bhim Army founder and MP Chandrasekhar Azad with CJP's Saurav Das.
"When will democracy open a customer care," says a poster at Jantar Mantar.
An umbrella with messages from people from different parts of the country.
Published - July 19, 2026 08:33 am IST