Yves here. This post delves into the educational exam-related grievances that fueled the emergence of the Cockroach Party and its subsequent rise to influence. I encourage readers familiar with Indian politics to explore the underlying issues further. It’s evident that the fiercely competitive National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test serves as a crucial pathway for economic mobility. Inspired by the writings of Dalit leader Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which laid the groundwork for the anti-caste movement in India, the question arises: Does the Cockroach Party symbolize a resurgence of anti-caste activism? As we have discussed in Links, some leaders within the Cockroach Party believe that genuine power resides in the streets and are contemplating their next moves.
By Sonali Kolhatkar, an acclaimed multimedia journalist. She is the founder, host, and executive producer of “Rising Up With Sonali,” a subscriber-funded weekly television and radio program broadcasted on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. Her publications include Breaking ICE: Community Defense Against State Terror and MAGA Fascism (Seven Stories Press, 2026), Talking About Abolition: A Police-Free World Is Possible (Seven Stories Press, 2025), and Rising Up: The Power of Narrative in Pursuing Racial Justice (City Lights Books, 2023). She is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute and previously served as a senior editor at Yes! Magazine, focusing on issues of race and economy. Additionally, she is the co-director of the nonprofit solidarity organization Afghan Women’s Mission and co-author of Bleeding Afghanistan. She also holds a position on the board of directors for Justice Action Center, an organization advocating for immigrant rights. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute
Recently, young people across India grabbed international attention with their massive protests against the frequent leaks of entrance examinations essential for admission to medical schools and securing highly sought-after government roles. Within weeks, the Gen Z protesters achieved a significant triumph when Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25, 2026, in response to their demands.
The student movement was sparked by an unfortunate remark from India’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, who, in May, referred to jobless youth as parasites and cockroaches. This comment resonated with a young Indian, Abhijeet Dipke, living in Boston, Massachusetts, who had graduated from Boston University with a master’s in public relations.
Dipke posed a provocative question on X: “What if all the cockroaches unite?” Using his PR expertise, he created an Instagram account for the Cockroach Janta Party (“Janta” meaning “the people” in Hindi), quickly drawing a large following of frustrated young Indians upset about the leaks from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
The unlawful access to NEET questions forms part of a profitable underground network, where approximately 2 million students compete against one another for a mere 130,000 available positions. Following the widespread news of the leaks, around 21 students tragically took their lives in despair rather than face retesting.
Ahilya Majithia, a reporter stationed in New Delhi, observed the burgeoning movement and noted that it rapidly evolved from an online demonstration to physical protests, fueled by a widespread feeling of injustice among students. “This exam is one of the most competitive in India,” she related in an interview. “To gain entry into a medical college, extensive preparation is required, and many devote years to prepare for this exam.”
As the frustration escalated, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) emerged as a channel for expressing discontent, with its online following surging to tens of millions. “The movement gained significant traction through social media, allowing the Cockroach Janta Party to effectively communicate their messages via platforms like X and Instagram,” Majithia explained.
In early June, Dipke, who was still in the United States, flew to Delhi. Upon arrival, he held up a copy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s autobiography, a key figure in the anti-caste movement. “Coming from a Dalit family, Dr. Ambedkar has significantly influenced my life,” he stated during an interview with Frontline magazine.
While Ambedkar’s ideologies lean leftist, Dipke’s own political views do not fully reflect the movement he helped ignite, which accelerated at a breathtaking pace. “This protest instilled a sense of capabilities in people, empowering them to challenge the government and demand changes,” said Majithia, although she added, “I don’t believe this protest aimed to undermine a specific government body or the BJP; it was fundamentally a non-political issue.”
With Dipke and his fellow activists leading demonstrations, students dedicated several weeks to protesting and occupying public areas against a system that increasingly marginalizes young individuals, compelling them to invest years in education and accumulate debt just to qualify for these exams. They gathered at Delhi’s iconic “Jantar Mantar,” a historic 18th-century site representing India’s rich legacy of scientific exploration.
The “cockroach” protests extended from Delhi to other states, including Assam, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Bihar, despite reports of police brutality against demonstrators, depicted in widely circulated online images and footage. Protesters documented their mistreatment by authorities using smartphones and social media platforms.
The CJP’s significant demands included the resignation of the education minister and financial compensation for the families of students who took their own lives.
According to Majithia, no member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has ever relinquished their position due to political pressure. “It’s unprecedented,” she said. Actress and parliament member Kangana Ranaut remarked that “no one can pressure the government about who to dismiss or retain”—an alarming reflection of the ruling party’s disregard for democratic principles. Yet, soon after her remarks, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, highlighting the significance of the government’s response.
Since the cessation of protests, the CJP has demanded the dissolving of all existing arrest warrants against student demonstrators and threatened to renew protests if government harassment of activists continues.
Numerous shortcomings in the education system have surfaced, not solely regarding the NEET paper leak,” Majithia stated. Following Pradhan’s resignation, the pressing question remains about how the movement will address specific educational and economic reforms.
Saurav Das, the CJP’s chief spokesperson, with a background in investigative journalism, is engaged in negotiations with the Modi administration concerning a detailed five-point education reform plan. This plan aims to enhance testing authority standards, establish contingency plans for re-examinations, and offer improved compensation for affected students.
While this reform framework addresses protesters’ specific grievances, the larger issue of economic justice for India’s youth persists. A comprehensive 2026 report from Azim Premji University reveals that India boasts the largest youth demographic worldwide, yet “[t]he transition from education to employment continues to be a major hurdle, particularly for graduates.”
The report indicates that “while about 5 million graduates enter the job market annually, only roughly 2.8 million gain employment, and an even smaller fraction secure paid positions.”
It remains uncertain whether the CJP and its dramatic entry into India’s political sphere can successfully tackle the broader issue of Gen Z’s challenging economic prospects. Yet, in its brief existence, the movement has at least provided young people with a platform to voice their frustrations and wield their influence.
“I believe there is considerable hope attached to the Cockroach Janta Party, as people expect them to work collaboratively with the government to enact changes across the system,” Majithia expressed.
