NEW DELHI, JUN 6: Hundreds of people, largely students and young professionals, gathered at Jantar Mantar on Saturday for a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an online youth-led movement campaigning against alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests.
The demonstration, held under heavy security arrangements, saw participants wearing cockroach masks and carrying flowers. School students accompanied by their parents were also among those attending the gathering.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke joined the protest after arriving in Delhi earlier in the day. Protesters raised slogans and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over concerns related to examinations such as NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC.
Ahead of the protest, Dipke urged supporters to remain disciplined and ensure the demonstration remained peaceful. In a message shared on social media, he encouraged participants to bring books and the national flag and requested them to offer flowers to police personnel as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who expressed support for the movement, said he would undertake a six-week fast if Dipke were arrested.
Security was tightened across the national capital in anticipation of the protest. Police deployed additional personnel at key locations, including Indira Gandhi International Airport, border entry points and other sensitive areas.
Officials said more than 1,000 police personnel were stationed across New Delhi and nearby strategic locations as a precautionary measure. Organisers repeatedly appealed to participants to maintain non-violent conduct and cooperate with law enforcement authorities throughout the demonstration.
