A day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its 36-day protest in central Delhi, founder Abhijeet Dipke said he finally slept a full night’s sleep without worry and panic. 

The protest was concluded on Saturday evening after a round of talks between the government and CJP spokespersons. At this time, the government had accepted all of the party’s core demands including education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over exam paper leaks.

“What I went through in the last 37 days was really, really difficult. It was not easy, not just for me, but for all of our team,” Dipke said. 

The youth leader was recently diagnosed with typhoid, over a month after he camped at the historical protest site of Jantar Mantar with other ‘cockroaches’, in the middle of India’s monsoon season.

Dipke thanked protesters across the nation for making the movement a success. He also thanked his critics who questioned the satirical party’s abilities and methods. The 30-year-old said the critics had helped the CJP improve. 

“Cockroach Janata Party has a long way to go, and for sure we will go a long way. This is just the beginning. Jai Hind,” he said.

Demonstrations, organised by the social media-driven CJP, had demanded education reforms, compensation for affected students and the withdrawal of cases against protesters.

After renewed talks, the government accepted the group’s demands, prompting CJP to end the demonstrations. The protests have been one of the most significant challenges to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration since the 2021 farm protests.

Shah defends Pradhan

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah, However, defended fellow party leader Dharmendra Pradhan in a social media post hours after he resigned as India’s education minister, giving in to nationwide youth led protests. 

“For BJP workers, the country, our youth, and students are far more important than any position. Today, the resignation of Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji from his post exemplifies this very principle,” Shah said on X. 

“The Modi government respects the sentiments of the country’s youth and is committed to implementing the necessary reforms against paper leaks,” he said adding that the government’s upcoming legislature to strengthen anti-paper leak laws would help ensure ‘complete justice’.

Shah went on to count Pradhan’s ‘reforms’ as education minister. “His efforts toward making the examination system more inclusive and student-centric have also been noteworthy. His tenure is a testament to his dedication to the resolve of making India a developed nation,” he said. 

Shah’s post was one among many from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party leaders which highlighted similar initiatives and Pradhan’s ‘integrity’.

In his resignation announcement on Saturday, Pradhan said he had acknowledged responsibility of the medical entrance exam’s paper leak from the very first day.

He said was now resigning because he did not want ‘anti-national forces’ to take advantage of the situations and wanted the youth to once again focus on their education and careers.

Prahlad Joshi takes charge

Meanwhile, 63-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party veteran, Prahlad Joshi, took charge as India’s new education minister on Sunday. 

The minister accepted the responsibility ‘with a deep sense of duty’, he said in a post on X, which included images of him attending a meeting. 

Joshi was appointed yesterday, within hours of Dharmendra Pradhan’s exit.

Joshi is already India’s minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution – and for new and renewable energy – prior to taking on a third and more senior portfolio as of Saturday. 

He is a five-term member of the Lok Sabha parliament and Hindu nationalist known for his activism on the disputed region of Kashmir in his younger days. 

He is known as a behind-the scenes organisational leader, who has been integral to BJP’s journey in Karnataka. He was also the southern state’s BJP President from 2014 to 2016.

Joshi is a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, according to the BJP website, which is a large network with millions of followers.

The RSS presents itself as the guardian of Hindu values, while critics widely classify it as a paramilitary organisation. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who himself has deep roots in the RSS, its influence reaches to the highest levels of political power.

DW