Cockroach Janata Party founder fears arrest upon return to India

Nearly two weeks after launching the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which quickly gained traction on social media, founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Monday that he fears he could be arrested when he returns to India later this week, according to news agency PTI.

Despite the apprehension, Dipke said he remains committed to leading a peaceful movement seeking the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged shortcomings in the country's education system.

Dipke, who recently completed a master's degree in public relations in Boston, said he had been searching for jobs just weeks ago and did not anticipate the widespread response to his satirical political initiative.

According to him, the attention generated by CJP led to several job offers from multinational corporations in the US and Europe, which he declined in order to return to India and focus on the movement.

"Two weeks back, I was applying for jobs," Dipke said on Monday, describing the past fortnight as a "roller coaster ride".

According to news agency PTI, he said his family had expressed concern and had received threats, but added that he was mentally prepared for the possibility of being detained.

"I will most likely be arrested at the airport," he stated, adding that he believes his planned protest is protected under the constitutional guarantees of free expression and peaceful assembly.

Dipke said his immediate goal is to seek accountability and demand Pradhan's resignation over issues related to NEET, CBSE and CUET examinations, which he claimed have affected millions of students.

"We will keep asking for the resignation, and we won't stop until he resigns," he said, arguing that the education minister should take "moral responsibility".

Amid growing speculation over the future of CJP following its rapid rise in popularity, Dipke said it was too early to discuss converting the platform into a registered political party.

"It would be too early to say anything on that," he said when asked if CJP could eventually seek registration with the Election Commission.

For now, he described CJP as a "political youth movement" aimed at reshaping political discourse and placing the concerns and aspirations of young people at the centre of politics.

The movement emerged from frustration among young Indians over unemployment, inflation and developments in the education sector, he said.

"I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that something like this could happen," he said.

Dipke argued that the support received by a platform that began as satire reflects growing disillusionment among young people with the existing political system.

"It's the failure of the political ecosystem to cater to the aspirations, needs, concerns, and hopes of the youth," he explained.

He said many young people are increasingly dissatisfied with both mainstream politics and established institutions.

"Yes, they are tired of the mainstream politics. They are tired of the mainstream media," he asserted, claiming that student-related issues are often overlooked.

Dipke maintained that the movement would remain independent despite receiving expressions of support from some political figures.

"No opposition leader has personally contacted me," he said, adding that "the youth wants to keep this movement pretty much independent."

However, he mentioned that political parties could extend support to the movement.

On the future course of action, Dipke said organisers would consult supporters and registered members after his return to India.

"We will take their suggestions on how to advance this movement," he said.

Responding to questions about his past association with the Aam Aadmi Party, Dipke said he worked with the party between 2020 and 2023 but stressed that the current movement is independent.

"That is my past, and now this movement is entirely independent," he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Dipke said dissatisfaction with the status quo had drawn him towards activism.

"I thought that maybe we need to actively participate and that is the only way to change things for the better," he said.

Asked where he sees CJP six months from now, Dipke said the movement's growth had been too rapid to make long-term predictions.

"Fifteen days ago we wouldn't have imagined this. We are taking it one step at a time," he stated.

Dipke said he would return to India on June 6 and begin a peaceful protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related issues.

He also urged CJP supporters to gather at the Delhi airport on June 6 to join the campaign.