New Delhi, 30 June– As the protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar entered its eleventh day, a Bharatiya Janata Party today lashed out at it with its national president Nitin Nabin terming it a “virus and cockroach” gang that wanted to weaken and divide the country.
Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke charged the ruling party for breaking it alleging heavy police deployment and restrictions on the entry of supporters to the protest site and activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health deteriorating amid a hunger strike.
The protests in the capital Delhi come as sources say the government is weighing significant cabinet changes, with Indian media reporting Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan could be moved from his portfolio.
“With each passing day, more people are coming here from different parts of India,” said 30-year-old party founder Abhijeet Dipke as he and social activist Sonam Wangchuk sat on a makeshift stage beneath a banner calling for Pradhan’s removal.
“We are waiting to see what the government decides because there are reports of a cabinet reshuffle. Once that announcement comes, we will decide the next course of action.”
Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition deteriorated, with his blood sugar levels dipping on the third day of his hunger strike at the protest venue.
Wangchuk said he would undertake a fast that would last six weeks unless he died first.
“But hopefully, we don’t have to go that far,” he said, lying on a mattress. “A sensitive government in a democracy listens to the pains of the people, and I hope they will take action.”
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka stated that Wangchuk’s condition must be taken seriously, warning that any adverse outcome would hold Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responsible.
CJP describes itself as representing “the lazy, the unemployed, and the chronically correct”. Its rapid online rise reflects frustrations among young Indians, who are estimated to make up more than half the country’s 1.42 billion population.
India’s unemployment rate was 3.1 per cent in 2025 for people aged 15 and above, government data showed, but nearly 10 per cent among those aged 15 to 29, rising to 13.6 per cent in urban areas.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the Rajasthan Paramedical Council examination paper leak, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to conduct examinations properly.
“Double engine-double leak,” he said, adding that the BJP government was not capable of conducting examinations.
The protest also continued to see participation from six students associated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA), who were on an indefinite hunger strike from a separate stage at the venue. They entered the second day of their fast on Monday.
The students include Neha, AISA All India President; Danish, JNUSU Joint Secretary; Manish, AISA Uttar Pradesh President; Deepak, AISA Delhi University Vice President; Hrishikesh, President of Barak Hostel, JNU; and Aameen, former CC member of AUD Students Council.
The protest by CJP began on June 20 over alleged irregularities in the examination system, including NEET.
Growing protests and agitations seem to have rattled the ruling BJP as it began CJP calling names.
Addressing a public meeting at Warangal during his Telangana visit, the BJP chief alleged that groups such as the CJP were working against the country’s interests. “Virus and cockroach-like parties are emerging in the country. These are people who want to hollow out the nation. We need to pay attention to these viruses and cockroach-like people. This gang wants to divide the country,” he said.
He added, “These are the people who belong to ‘tukde wale gang’, and the BJP will teach them a lesson. Every worker of the BJP will ensure this.”
The remarks mark the BJP’s strongest public attack yet on the CJP, whose protests in the national capital have drawn attention over the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the wake of the NEET UG paper leak controversy.
Later, while interacting with students at an engineering college near Hyderabad, Nabin said India’s Gen Z was not anti-establishment and was instead contributing to nation-building. Referring to debates around youth protests in other countries, he said, “There is a lot of debate around GenZs. People have told me that in many countries, youth have protested and they mention it as Gen-Z protests. Youth of India is not anti-establishment. India’s youth work towards nation’s development.”
The remarks mark the BJP’s strongest public attack yet on the CJP, whose protests in the national capital have drawn attention over the demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in the wake of the NEET UG paper leak controversy.
Later, while interacting with students at an engineering college near Hyderabad, Nabin said India’s Gen Z was not anti-establishment and was instead contributing to nation-building. Referring to debates around youth protests in other countries, he said, “There is a lot of debate around GenZs. People have told me that in many countries, youth have protested and they mention it as Gen-Z protests. Youth of India is not anti-establishment. India’s youth work towards nation’s development.”
During the Telangana visit, where he sought to prepare BJP workers for the Assembly elections due in about two years, Nabin also targeted the Congress government led by Revanth Reddy, alleging that the party had a history of failing to fulfil its promises.
He also took a swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying, “Congress leader Rahul baba (Rahul Gandhi) is a part-time politician. But BJP’s workers are full-time politicians.”
Veteran Journalist and Political Commentator
