Delhi Police detained six people during a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar on June 6, 2024 [1].
The event marks the first official demonstration by the party, signaling a new attempt to mobilize public frustration over educational standards and local governance in the capital.
Led by founder Abhijeet Dipke, the group gathered at the historic site to demand the resignation of the Delhi chief minister, whom they referred to as “Pradhan” [2]. The party also used the platform to highlight grievances regarding the NEET re-exam [2]. Dipke said parents should join the demonstration by 6 PM, and that the group would not leave until the leadership stepped down [2].
Law enforcement officials placed strict limits on the gathering. A Delhi Police spokesperson said, "The protest was only permitted until 5 PM" [3]. Despite this restriction, the demonstration continued beyond the allotted time.
Police officials said that the six participants were detained to prevent a potential confrontation between two opposing groups at the scene [1]. The police later rejected a request from the Cockroach Janta Party to extend the permitted hours of the protest beyond the 5 PM deadline [3].
"We won't leave until Pradhan resigns," Dipke said [2].
The detention of participants occurred as the party attempted to maintain its presence at Jantar Mantar, a frequent site for political activism in New Delhi, despite the lack of extended official permission [3].
“"We won't leave until Pradhan resigns."”
The emergence of the Cockroach Janta Party and its focus on the NEET re-exam reflects a growing trend of niche political movements leveraging specific public grievances to challenge established leadership. By occupying Jantar Mantar, the group is attempting to gain visibility through traditional protest methods, while the police response underscores the ongoing tension between the right to assemble and the city's strict regulation of public demonstrations.
