Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke leads protest demanding Pradhan’s resignation at Jantar Mantar; six detained

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokesperson Saurav Das addresses a rally during a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination-related errors in Delhi on June 6, 2026. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived at Jantar Mantar on Saturday (June 6, 2026) morning, hours after landing in New Delhi. He joined a planned demonstration demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following irregularities in several competitions and school exams in the past few weeks.

The demonstration was attended by hundreds of people, mostly young individuals, many wearing cockroach masks and holding flowers. School students and their parents also took part in the protest.

Cockroaches Janta Party protest LIVE updates

A large banner containing the words “peaceful protest” and also demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was brought to Jantar Mantar. A drone could be seen hovering over the area as the protesters displayed a banner.

Hundreds of people gathered at Jantar Mantar in the first hour of the protest, with some counter-protesters at the site raising conflicting slogans; several such protesters were detained by the police. Tight security measures have been taken in the lane of the road designated for the protests, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. Police photographers were deployed throughout the venue as at least one drone captured footage of the crowd.

“The education minister must resign,” Mr Dipke told reporters gathered at the airport after his arrival. “Five students committed suicide.” Mr. Dipke led chants demanding Mr. Pradhan’s resignation at Jantar Mantar.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk expressed support and participated in the protest at Jantar Mantar. He also stated that if Mr. Dipke is arrested, he will undergo a six-week fast.

Six people detained

Six people were detained by the Delhi Police on Saturday (June 6) to prevent a possible confrontation between the two groups. The detention was made as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order after police received information about possible tensions between supporters and opponents of the online movement, they said.

Officials said six people were taken into preventive custody when they were found trying to disrupt the vicinity of the protest site. Fortunately, the situation remained under control and no incidents were reported.

Built on AI visuals and Mr. Dipke’s viral campaign on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, CJP’s movement gained more than 2 million followers just days after its launch. Spokesmen for the movement have insisted they have no ties to established political parties, although parallels have emerged between the CJP and India’s anti-corruption movement online, with many right-wing influencers citing political ties and nefarious targets for X.

The protest comes amid intense heat in the capital, with temperatures reaching 39 degrees at midday. Cell signals appeared to be blocked and many protesters were unable to connect to the internet.

He landed.

I look forward to meeting you all at Jantar Mantar. Don’t forget to take the book and our Tiranga!

Offer the police officers flowers as a gesture of sympathy and gratitude.

We must lead this movement with love and peace! https://t.co/HgDSf2gX0U

— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) June 6, 2026

🚨IMPORTANT NOTICE🚨

Permission to protest against cockroaches #CJPProtest Secured from the authorities.

All, proceed straight to Jantar Mantar.

DO NOT go to Parliament Street.

Please come directly to Jantar Mantar.

Dharmendra Pradhan, resign!#cjpprotest

— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) June 6, 2026

NCP General Secretary (SP) Rohit Pawar supported the agitation. In a statement, Mr Pawar said the overwhelming response to the protest reflected the growing resentment among the country’s youth against the Centre’s policies and alleged mismanagement of key examinations.

“The unprecedented participation of young people in the agitation shows the simmering discontent among the youth. Irregularities in NEET and CBSE examinations along with several wrong policies of the central government have directly affected the young generation and created widespread anger,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published – June 6, 2026 09:21 IST