Cockroach Janta Party protest Highlights: CPI condemns alleged RSS attack on Annie Raja, other leaders during protest

On a day when hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar here responding to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) call, the Opposition stood vertically split into two camps -- a sceptical Congress on one side, while the rest of the parties cheered on from the sidelines.

While a section of the Congress trashed the CJP protest, calling it "performative" and a "brainchild of the AAP", the party's official line was more focussed on underlining that its youth and student wings have done more in fighting for the rights of the students affected by paper leaks and creaky digital infrastructure.

Three people who claimed to be members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were detained on Saturday as they tried to burn an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a protest in the Cantonment area here, police said.

The demonstrators held banners and placards denouncing the minister outside the Indira Bal Bihar, they said. (PTI)

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests, with founder Abhijeet Dipke delivering the message not to be "scared". (PTI)

On a day when hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar here responding to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) call, the Opposition stood vertically split into two camps -- a sceptical Congress on one side, while the rest of the parties cheered on from the sidelines.

While a section of the Congress trashed the CJP protest, calling it "performative" and a "brainchild of the AAP", the party's official line was more focussed on underlining that its youth and student wings have done more in fighting for the rights of the students affected by paper leaks and creaky digital infrastructure.

Three people who claimed to be members of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) were detained on Saturday as they tried to burn an effigy of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a protest in the Cantonment area here, police said.

The demonstrators held banners and placards denouncing the minister outside the Indira Bal Bihar, they said. (PTI)

Police have stepped up security at the residence of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), in Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city in Maharashtra, an officer said on Saturday.

He said the security cover has been expanded to avoid unnecessary crowding as Dipke arrives in India. (PTI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said the Centre must listen to the youth who are protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam-related lapses and should not underestimate them.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam on Friday condemned the alleged RSS attack on party national secretary Annie Raja and other leaders during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest in New Delhi and called for branch-level demonstrations across Kerala in protest.

Six people were detained by the Delhi Police on Saturday to prevent a possible confrontation between two groups during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said, as reported by PTI.

The detentions were made as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order after police received inputs about the possibility of tensions between supporters and opposers of the online movement, they said. (PTI)

NCP (SP) general secretary Rohit Pawar on Saturday extended support to the agitation led by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against alleged irregularities in the NEET and CBSE examinations.

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement, participated in a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Saturday, which was held under heavy security and joined by scores of youth.

NCP (SP) leader Rohini Khadse on Friday urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take up the issue of security for Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijit Dipke with the Centre, claiming the possibility of an attack on him could not be ruled out when he returns to India.

Dipke is expected to arrive in India on June 6 in time for the CJP's agitation at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related lapses.

Delhi Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed across key locations in the national capital on Saturday as members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) began their protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said.

CJP releases dos and don’ts ahead of protest

The CJP urged participants to carry the national flag and a book as symbols of its commitment to the right to education and equal opportunities for all.

2. The organisation encouraged attendees to responsibly document the protest while ensuring it remains peaceful.

3. Participants were advised to immediately inform the police if they witnessed any disruptive or unlawful behaviour.

4. The CJP also asked supporters to come prepared for weather conditions, stay hydrated, and prioritise their health and safety.

5. People were encouraged to join the gathering with friends and fellow citizens while maintaining discipline and respecting public order.

In a post on social media platform X, CJP issued a clarification on reports alleging that Abhijeet Dipke sought VIP treatment from GMR officials at the Delhi Airport. It attributed such reports to a ‘figment of imagination’ and condemned ‘attempts to discredit and smear our movement.’

Even as CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and its thousands of supporters, who gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi today, demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, there has been no response from the education ministry or Pradhan over these protests.

The protest comes amid heightened tensions over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET-UG controversy. This year's exam has been rescheduled for June 21 following disruptions, including paper leaks and administrative lapses.

Police have stepped up security at the residence of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), in Waluj MIDC area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city in Maharashtra, an officer said on Saturday.

He said the security cover has been expanded to avoid unnecessary crowding as Dipke arrives in India. (PTI)

Six people were detained by the Delhi Police on Saturday to prevent a possible confrontation between two groups during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, officials said. (PTI)