The Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, has remained silent on the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar. However, its allies and several other opposition parties have already expressed support for the unconventional political party CJP.
The CJP, a social media-driven party, held a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. They gave the central government a seven-day ultimatum on Saturday.
Despite the nationwide stir caused by the event, called by US-based student Abhijit Dipok, Congress leaders have remained silent on the issue. According to some party sources, Congress suspects that the CJP is supported by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), hence the party has decided to 'observe the situation and take action'.
Senior Congress leaders told the Indian Express that there is suspicion within the party about the CJP's extensive presence on social media, the amount of time they are given in television debates, and the issue of obtaining permission for the protest in the capital. However, in a post on X, Congress' Social Media and Digital Platforms Division head Supriya Shrinate, without mentioning the CJP, said they stand firmly with Generation Z.
Shrinate wrote, 'Congress has always actively supported the demands of Gen-Z. They are ensuring that young people are heard, their voices are amplified, their concerns are addressed, and their future is protected.' She also mentioned that in the past month, NSUI and Indian Youth Congress have organized more than 50 protest programs across the country against the NEET question paper leak scandal and the CBSE evaluation irregularities.
Although Congress is silent on the ongoing CJP protest, its allies such as Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Shiv Sena (UBT), RJD, CPI (ML) and CPI (M) have welcomed the protest.
Trinamool's Rajya Sabha deputy leader Sagarika Ghose told the Indian Express that her party supports this movement led by angry youth and it is a wake-up call for the government.
RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, 'RJD and our leader Tejashwi Yadav have been protesting against the government on the issue of question paper leak. In a democracy, everyone has the right to protest.'
Lok Sabha member Rajiv Rai said this is a 'wake-up call' for the government. He said, 'Young people have taken to the streets against the question paper leak, which should be a cause for self-criticism for the government. We saw the JP movement in the 1970s and now we are talking about the same situation. The government should take this public anger seriously.'
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said, 'Cockroaches should never be underestimated.' He believes that the movement at Jantar Mantar is giving that wake-up call. Uddhav said, 'Those we call the future and destiny-makers of the country, thousands of young people—they have taken to the streets in intense heat due to their own pain and concerns about the future.'
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal said this protest is an expression of the anger and frustration of the youth.
He said, 'Instead of labeling them as anti-national, the Modi government should solve their problems. AAP supports their demands. The Prime Minister should immediately dismiss the Education Minister.'
CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya joined the protest at Jantar Mantar. He said, 'Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan should resign and be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the education system.'
