Cockroach movement protest entered its second day at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party vowed to remain at the site until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.
The protest, led by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, is centred on alleged examination irregularities, repeated paper leaks and student anger over India’s competitive exam system.
Cockroach Movement Protest Defies Police Deadline
Protesters stayed overnight at Jantar Mantar after Delhi Police asked them to leave when the permitted protest hours ended on Saturday evening.
Reports from the site said dozens of protesters slept on roads and pavements, while more supporters joined the demonstration on Sunday amid heavy police presence.
Delhi Police had earlier allowed the protest for limited hours, but the group continued its sit-in after permission expired.
Dipke Urges Supporters To Stay Peaceful
Dipke said the protest would continue until Pradhan steps down. In posts on X, he urged police not to stop supporters from reaching Jantar Mantar and asked authorities not to cut water supply to public restrooms at the protest site.
He also invited students appearing in the NEET re-examination to join the protest after completing their exam.
The CJP has said its movement will remain peaceful, while continuing to demand accountability for alleged exam failures.
Protest Linked To Exam Leaks And Youth Anger
The Cockroach Janta Party has grown from a satirical online campaign into a youth-led protest movement. Its supporters have used humour, slogans, placards and the symbolic banging of plates and spoons to criticise alleged failures in India’s education and examination system.
The movement gained attention after remarks comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” triggered online backlash. CJP supporters later adopted the term as a symbol of protest.
Background
The latest Jantar Mantar sit-in follows an earlier CJP protest in Delhi on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Since then, Dipke has taken the campaign to other Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Nagpur.
The group is demanding Pradhan’s resignation over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in national examinations. The education ministry’s latest response to the overnight protest could not be independently verified at the time of drafting.
What’s Next
The immediate question is whether Delhi Police will allow the sit-in to continue or take action against protesters remaining beyond permitted hours.
CJP leaders say the protest will continue indefinitely unless Pradhan resigns. The Cockroach movement protest is likely to keep drawing attention as student groups and exam candidates weigh whether to join the agitation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 22, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
