The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) ended its agitation on July 25, just hours after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister. This caravan, which started with a small demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, became so big that it took down the wicket of a minister of the strong Modi government. This movement, which lasted for more than a month, was the first such big movement in the 12-year history of the Narendra Modi government. When the protests started, the government did not take it as seriously as it should have.
But, on July 20, the CJP called for its previously scheduled peaceful Parliament march. CJP had called upon students and youth to join in large numbers for this. The impact of this call was so much that thousands of Genji youth reached Jantar Mantar. On the morning of 20 July, the youth marched towards Parliament but Delhi Police and security personnel tried to stop them. Later there was a conflict between the police and the youth. The police resorted to lathicharge, resulting in serious injuries to dozens of students and an equal number of security personnel were also injured.
The movement did not leave good signs
After the incident of 20th July, this protest spread like wildfire across the country and demonstrations started taking place in many cities. Seeing the unity of students and youth power, Dharmendra Pradhan finally resigned from the post of Education Minister last Saturday. But the minister’s resignation after 37 days of protests and lathi charge on the youth did not leave a good sign for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his government and the BJP.
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In fact, after the July 20 incident, this was the first time in the last 12 years that the Modi government appeared helpless. For the first time, the government as well as the central leadership of BJP appeared defensive and kept defending itself in the NEET paper leak issue. Crores of youth of the country raised slogans against BJP and the government and criticized the PM. The youth also praised the opposition. In such a situation, it is important to know what BJP has lost and gained in the CJP movement?
Shock to confidence among young voters
First of all, the Chief Justice of India commented, ‘There are some youth who, due to not getting employment and not being able to make a place in the profession, spread everywhere like cockroaches.’ After this statement of CJI, the foundation of Cockroach Janata Party was laid and within no time it got the support of crores of people on social media.
This movement, which started with this satire of the CJI, raised the issue of the students of the country, especially the NEET-UG paper leak. Regarding this, the protest started at Tanjar Mantar from 6th June. Gradually it became focused on issues like NEET paper leak and accountability in the education system. Due to this, lakhs of students and youth extended their support on the ground itself and crores on social media. Due to this, the dissatisfaction of the young generation against the government came out openly.
This movement is being seen as a loss of trust against BJP and Modi government, which now BJP will have to work hard to get back.
Union Minister resigns
After the lathicharge on the youth on July 20, the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation intensified. After the lathi charge, a crowd of youth started gathering at Jantar Mantar. The gathering of youth in such large numbers in the center of Delhi continued to put pressure on the Modi government. Seeing the seriousness of this and the demand of the students, the Modi government held three rounds of talks with the CJP and finally on July 25, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
Modi government’s ‘strict’ image affected
In fact, after years it was seen that the movement on the streets and social media forced the central government to take a major political decision. Due to this movement and resignation, the message was sent to the country that the government is not completely untouched by public pressure but bends down only when the issue is right. The Modi government, which used to reshuffle the portfolios of its ministers under pressure, took the resignation of its minister.
Opposition got a new and bigger issue
Congress, Samajwadi Party, Aam Aadmi Party, NCP (AP) actively participated in this students’ movement and cornered the Modi government on the issue of students and youth. Along with this, the opposition fiercely attacked the Modi government on the issues of education, unemployment and youth dissatisfaction. Because of this movement, in a way the opposition has got a lease of life.
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What did BJP lose?
The biggest loss that BJP has suffered due to the cockroach Janata Party movement is the loss of trust among the youth and the damage to the image of the government. Modi government proved unsuccessful in getting the youth in its favor, due to which BJP may suffer loss in the coming elections. In such a situation, its actual impact in the 2027 UP elections and future elections will depend on what further steps the government takes on issues like education, employment and examination reforms.
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