Will Cockroach Janata Party Enter Politics? Vijeta Dahiya Breaks Silence

Political analyst, author and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya, who has emerged as a prominent face of the satirical online Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, has refused to rule out the possibility of the Cockroach Janata Party eventually entering electoral politics, even as he maintained that the movement's current focus remains on seeking accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.

Speaking exclusively to Oneindia at a protest in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the alleged NEET paper leak, Dahiya said the movement remains a social campaign and should not be viewed as a political project. Asked if it could eventually become a political party, he said, "Maybe, maybe not."

"Young people should enter politics. But at the moment, forming a party is not on our minds," Dahiya said, adding that the movement remains a social campaign rather than a political organisation.

The remarks come amid comparisons with the 2012 anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, which eventually gave rise to the Aam Aadmi Party. However, Dahiya rejected suggestions that every public movement must culminate in electoral politics.

"Many movements have taken place in this country-the Non-Cooperation Movement, movements during the Emergency, and countless others. Why should we automatically connect every movement to the possibility of a political party?" he said.

Dahiya also accused critics of attempting to create a narrative around the movement's future political ambitions rather than focusing on its demands. The group has been seeking accountability in the NEET controversy and has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

While leaving the door open to future political participation, Dahiya stressed that the movement's immediate objective remains justice for students and reforms in the examination system.

The founder of the satirical online "Cockroach Janta Party," Abhijeet Dipke, said he was "looking forward to meeting everyone at Jantar Mantar" after arriving in New Delhi ahead of the planned protest. In a post on X, Dipke urged supporters to maintain a peaceful approach, writing, "We have to lead this movement with love and peace."

Earlier this week, Dipke announced that he would return from Boston on June 6 to spearhead a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination-related irregularities. Education reform advocate and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk had also said he would join the demonstration if Pradhan did not step down by June 5.

Meanwhile, security arrangements have been tightened across the national capital ahead of the protest. Police have reportedly deployed additional personnel at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, key border entry points and other sensitive locations to maintain law and order.