Hundreds of mostly young protesters wearing cockroach masks and carrying dog-eared exam guides gathered at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday to transform an online satirical movement into a real-world protest force, Al Jazeera reported.

Satirical Group Turns Political

The group, calling itself the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), began as a parody account three weeks ago after India’s chief justice reportedly referred to government critics and unemployed youth as ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites.’

What started as an online meme factory has grown into a platform for anger over exam failures, job shortages, and a declining sense of economic opportunity. The group’s members waved India’s national flag and carried schoolbooks during Saturday’s protest.

Demands for Education Minister’s Resignation

The protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a string of exam paper leaks, technical glitches, and cancelled tests. Many see the fiasco over the NEET medical entrance exam and reports of student suicides as a symbol of a failing system that lacks credibility in the eyes of young Indians.

Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old founder of CJP and a Boston University graduate, flew in from the United States to lead the rally — he told supporters, ‘cockroaches don’t ever fear,’ according to the report.

Police Presence Highlights Risks of Dissent

Police in riot gear and steel barricades were present at the protest, highlighting the risks of dissent in India, where large protests have often been met with security operations and criminal cases. CJP now has over 20 million followers on Instagram, surpassing many mainstream political parties online in terms of reach.

The group’s first street protest tests whether self-deprecating humor and satire can be turned into a lasting political organization, while it also raises the question of whether India’s anxious, hyper-connected youth can find a new political language to express their frustration.