After concluding its 37-day protest over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has unveiled its next phase of activism, with founder Abhijeet Dipke announcing that the outfit will operate as a “pressure group” rather than a political party.
Speaking ahead of the CJP’s two-day core committee meeting in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dipke said the organisation will broaden its agenda to include concerns over the government’s ethanol-blended petrol (E20) policy, rising unemployment and alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
CJP rules out entering electoral politics
Dipke said the organisation has no immediate plans to transform into a political party, arguing that people have increasingly lost confidence in existing institutions.
“Our movement will function as a pressure group because that is what India needs at this moment,” he said.
According to Dipke, the support CJP received during the NEET protest reflected broader public concerns about accountability in institutions beyond the education sector.
He also criticised the current political landscape, claiming that public trust in political parties has weakened.
Focus expands beyond education
While the NEET-UG paper leak protest brought the organisation into the national spotlight, Dipke said the group’s future campaigns will address several public issues, including:
- Concerns over the E20 ethanol-blended fuel policy.
- Rising unemployment.
- Recruitment examination irregularities.
- Student welfare and accountability in public institutions.
The roadmap is being discussed during a two-day strategy meeting attended by senior CJP leaders in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Saurav Das: CJP is a grassroots movement
Chief spokesperson Saurav Das reiterated that CJP does not intend to become another political party.
“There are already plenty of political parties. If people are still facing pain and injustice, the answer is not another political party but a grassroots movement,” he said.
Das added that the organisation will continue pressing for the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students who participated in the recent protests over alleged examination irregularities.
He also said CJP is working to provide legal and medical assistance to injured protesters.
Sonam Wangchuk to remain mentor
Das confirmed that environmentalist and education activist Sonam Wangchuk will continue to mentor the organisation.
According to him, CJP leadership will continue seeking Wangchuk’s guidance as it expands its campaigns across different public issues.
Support for Jharkhand student protests
Dipke also announced support for students and job aspirants protesting in Jharkhand over alleged recruitment examination irregularities.
“We will definitely go to Jharkhand and stand with the protesters. We will support every legitimate demand raised during the agitation,” he said.
Students in Ranchi have been protesting over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination.
CJP charts future roadmap
The ongoing meeting in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is expected to finalise the organisation’s future strategy, including expanding its grassroots network and identifying new public campaigns after the nationwide NEET protest.
The leadership is also reviewing the outcomes of the 37-day agitation that culminated in the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and commitments from the Centre on several protest demands.
