CJP Gets Going on Ground, 3 Spokespersons Hold 1st PC, Seek Head of Edu Mini

 New Delhi: The satirical group that identifies itself as Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is slowly formalising its mission and taking the shape of a political group. "CJP is committed to changing the political discourse of India, and this will be led by a new generation of leaders," said CJP founder Abhijit Dipke in a post on X as he announced spokespersons for the group in a move to expand its reach ahead of a planned protest on June 6 seeking resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and against failures in the Indian education system.

What had started as a joke on social media is slowly taking the shape of a movement. The CJP founder has announced plans to launch a peaceful protest in Delhi demanding the resignation of Pradhan over the alleged leak of the NEET paper and lapses in the CBSE system. Ladakh climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk has said he too will join the protest on June 6 if the minister doesn’t quit by June 5.

Investigative journalist, political researcher, ex-McKinsey consultant, IITian and London School of economics alumni are now going to be the face and voice of the CJP. In a post on X, Dipke said investigative journalist Saurav Das would serve as its chief spokesperson, while political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka would represent the organisation before the public and the media.

“Cockroach Janta Party announces three spokespersons who will speak on behalf of the protest movement to the public and the media. Investigative journalist Saurav Das will take on the role of Chief Spokesperson. Political researcher, author and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya, and an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and the global management consulting firm McKinsey, Ashutosh Ranka, will also take on the role of Spokespersons along with Das. CJP is committed to changing the political discourse of India, and this will be led by a new generation of leaders,” Dipke announced on X.

The new spokespersons held their first press conference on Wednesday during which they informed that Dipke is scheduled to return to India on June 6. Das said that a lot of falsehood is being spread about CJP and the movement that it has foreign funding and anti-social elements etc. “Such stories only boost our confidence that we are on the right track,” said Das. Ranka said it all started with a satire but the traction the CJP got made it clear that the youth of the country is desperate. “The movement is transparent,” adding as on date there is only one agenda and that is seeking resignation of education minister.

Launched last month, the outfit has gained significant traction on social media, particularly among students and young people, as a platform focused on education and youth issues.

Climate activists and educator Sonam Wangchuk has also sought the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Wangchuk said that if Pradhan doesn’t resign then he will join the CJP protest on June 6.

“If not us, who? If not now, when! I will be joining the CJP members in Delhi on 6th June if nothing changes by 5th June. Any self respecting Minister should resign if things go so wrong... Not to mention the effect on millions of young lives and in fact the future of India.

BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao said the massive online traction of the CJP reflected the public disappointment and anger towards the governments in the country. He recalled warning an audience at an event six months ago that a Gen Z agitation, like the one in Nepal, could occur in India as the performance of the NDA government at the Centre fell short of its narrative.

Meanwhile, another group by the name of “Girgit Janta Party” (GJP) is taking shape on social media platforms to counter CJP. “Country wants constructive development, not the burden of the cockroach model” a post on GJP said.