ISLAMABAD: Cockroach Janta Party Founding President Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said that if India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is not removed or does not step down within the next seven days, the party will be forced to continue its protest on the ground.
Hundreds of young students gathered in New Delhi on Saturday for the first street protest organized by the "Cockroach People's Party" over alleged irregularities in recent major examinations. Protesters, some in paper cockroach masks — a reference to reported remarks by India's top judge — called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches.
In a post on X on Sunday, Dipke said that thousands of people had participated in a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar, which he described as a demonstration of unity and anger over the education system.
He stated that many of those who joined the protest had never participated in one before but felt encouraged by the collective presence to express their frustration. He also thanked participants, including young children and students, for attending the demonstration despite the hot weather.
Dipke said that peaceful protest was the movement’s greatest strength and asserted that a unified, peaceful movement could not be suppressed.
Issuing a warning to the government, he said, “Dharmendra Pradhan has wronged an entire generation. If he is not removed or does not step down within the next 7 days, we will be forced to continue our protest on the ground.”
He also announced that he would address supporters during an Instagram Live session later on Sunday.
'No credibility'
Last month, authorities scrapped the nationwide medical college entrance test, one of the country's most competitive exams, after investigators uncovered a question paper leak.
That came on top of another scandal related to the online marking system of tests taken by nearly two million high school students.
"India deserves better administration of such crucial exams," said 20-year-old protester Sarthak, who gave only one name.
Sapan Gyan, 52, who accompanied his sons to the protest, said that "young people... can't have a situation where these exam systems have no credibility left."
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, who has been at loggerheads with the government over demands for greater autonomy for the Himalayan region of Ladakh, said the students affected by the exam failures "have no voice, no say."
The CJP — whose pages have been blocked on some social media platforms — has over 22 million followers on Instagram, well above Modi's ruling party or India's main opposition party.
