Thousands of young Indians marched peacefully in Delhi on Saturday in the first public protest organized by the satirical 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP). The movement, founded by Abhijit Deepke, began as an online parody but quickly evolved into a youth-driven challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Deepke, who flew from the United States to lead the rally, said the country’s youth would no longer live in fear. The protest demanded accountability and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam scandals.

The CJP emerged after India’s Chief Justice compared unemployed youth to 'parasites' and 'cockroaches', sparking outrage. Deepke’s sarcastic social media call for 'all cockroaches to unite' went viral, leading to the creation of the CJP’s website and manifesto. Within two weeks, its Instagram following surpassed 22 million before the government attempted to block its account. Many Gen Z and millennial supporters see the CJP as a voice against unemployment and the failing education system.

Analysts note that the movement’s rise coincides with growing frustration over exam corruption and job scarcity. Whether the 'cockroach movement' can evolve from online satire to a lasting political force remains uncertain.