Founder of Cockroach Jana Party Threatens Nationwide Protest Over Indian Education Minister

Abhijit Deepak, a 30‑year‑old entrepreneur originally from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra, has recently become a polarising figure in Indian politics after founding the Cockroach Jana Party (CJP). The party emerged from a satirical social‑media campaign that began after a comment by Supreme Court judge Suryakant, who had referred to unemployed youth as “cockroaches.”

Demand for Resignation of Education Minister

In a video message released on June 25, Deepak demanded that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign. He warned that if Pradhan does not step down by the coming Saturday, the CJP would mobilise millions of students and young people to march to Delhi for a massive protest.

The call follows a previous protest by the CJP in Delhi’s Janatamantar on a Saturday, where hundreds of youths participated despite extreme heat. The party’s platform centres on employment, education and the alleged leaking of exam papers.

Background of the Founder

Before founding the CJP, Deepak was active on social media and had worked in the communication team of the Indian political party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for about three years. He holds a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University and has lived in the United States for the past two years.

Deepak’s political activism began with a satirical campaign on the platform X (formerly Twitter). He frequently shared posts supporting AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and critiqued issues such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and rising fuel prices.

The Rise of the Cockroach Jana Party

The party’s name and identity were shaped by the judge’s remark, which was later clarified by the judge himself as a misinterpretation. Despite the clarification, the satirical campaign gained traction, leading to the creation of a website and an Instagram account that now boasts over 2.2 million followers.

According to the party’s website, more than 200,000 people have registered as members, signalling a significant base of support among Indian youth who feel disillusioned with mainstream politics.

Implications for Indian Politics

Deepak’s threat of a mass protest could pressure the central government to address the concerns of young voters. The call for Pradhan’s resignation also reflects broader frustrations over employment, education policy and perceived corruption in the current administration.