Paper Leaks and Unemployment Spark Youth Anger at CJP Protest in Delhi

New Delhi: Young people staged a spirited protest against the government and the system in Delhi on Saturday. Hundreds of students and youths gathered at Jantar Mantar under the CJP banner to raise their voices against flaws in various competitive examinations. Tight security arrangements were put in place across Delhi in view of the protest, with additional police forces deployed in several sensitive areas.

Amidst heavy security, CJP founder Abhijit Deepke arrived in Delhi on Saturday morning to join the protest. Even before his arrival at Jantar Mantar, a large number of students, young professionals, and school students accompanied by their parents had begun gathering at the protest site. Many participants wore cockroach masks and carried flowers in their hands.

Sharp criticism of the Central Government

The youths participating in the protest demanded accountability from the Central Government regarding alleged irregularities in the education system and recruitment examinations. Amidst slogan-shouting, the protesters also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Organizers stated that this movement is an effort to bring the concerns of students and the youth to the national stage.

Deepke's appeal to supporters

Prior to the protest, Deepke urged his supporters to conduct the movement in a peaceful and disciplined manner. In a message posted on the social media platform 'X', he asked participants to bring the national flag and a book, and also appealed to them to offer flowers to police personnel as a gesture of compassion and respect. He emphasized that the movement should be carried forward with love, peace, and democratic values. Here are five key points about this protest:

1- Police detained six individuals

On Saturday, the Delhi Police detained six people to prevent a potential clash between two groups during a protest organized by the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. Police stated that the detention was a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, following reports of anticipated tension between supporters and opponents of the online movement. Officials said the step was taken to keep the situation under control and ensure the protest concluded peacefully.

2- Movement gains support from prominent figures

The ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar received support from several prominent figures. Social activist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest alongside the movement's founder, Abhijit Deepke, to back the students' demands. Actor Prakash Raj had also expressed solidarity with the movement prior to the protest.

3- Dipankar Bhattacharya joins the protest

Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, participated in the massive protest held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar under the banner of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ to support the demands of the youth. He stated that young people are angry over the government's failure to prevent paper leaks, rising unemployment, and the systematic destruction of the public education system. He further asserted that the government must answer for these failures, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign and be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the education sector.

4- Demand for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation

Students and youths participating in the protest strongly demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protesters allege that alleged irregularities and paper leak incidents involving exams such as NEET, CUET, CBSE, and other recruitment tests have jeopardized the futures of lakhs of students. They argue that the Education Minister should accept moral responsibility for the crisis facing the education system and resign from his post to ensure accountability. Young people gathered at Jantar Mantar raised slogans demanding transparency in the education system and reforms to the examination process.

5- Abhijit Deepke seen sitting in an AC car amidst scorching heat

During the CJP protest held at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, the organization's founder, Abhijit Deepke, was seen sitting in his air-conditioned car for a brief period amidst the sweltering heat and humidity. A video of this incident went viral on social media. However, his supporters maintain that he had stepped away briefly for relief due to the harsh sun and rising temperatures, and subsequently returned to the protest site to participate in the event.

Priyanka Chaturvedi's post sparks discussion

Former Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote in a post on X, "Perhaps this is the first time the Delhi Police has done the right thing by granting permission to CJP for a protest. Now, it remains to be seen whether the support garnered online will gain momentum on the ground as well." The political temperature in the country is currently running high regarding the 'Cockroach Janta Party's' movement.