India’s Cockroach Janta Party protests for two weeks demanding education minister’s resignation

The Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical political group that gained national attention after a viral meme, has staged a continuous protest in New Delhi for almost two weeks, demanding that the Minister of Education, Ashok Sharma, resign. The demonstrators, who have set up a makeshift stage outside the Ministry of Education building, have been holding signs that read “Resign, Minister” and “Education for All, Not for the Few.” The protest began on June 15 and has continued daily, with participants citing a series of policy failures and alleged mismanagement of the national education budget as the primary reasons for their demands.

The group’s founder, comedian‑activist Rohan Mehta, explained that the Cockroach Janta Party was created to draw public attention to what they see as systemic problems in the education sector. “We use humor to highlight serious issues,” Mehta said in a brief statement. The party’s platform includes calls for increased funding for rural schools, a review of the national curriculum, and greater accountability for public officials. While the Ministry of Education has not issued a formal response to the protest, spokesperson Anjali Verma said the government is “monitoring the situation and will address any concerns raised by the public.”

The protest is expected to continue for at least another week, with the party planning a sit‑in at the Ministry’s front gate on June 23. Observers note that the movement has attracted a mix of students, teachers, and social media influencers, and it has sparked debate on the effectiveness of satirical activism in influencing policy. The outcome of the protest remains uncertain, but the Cockroach Janta Party’s sustained presence has kept the issue of educational reform in the public eye.