‘Just the beginning’: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reflects on 37-day protest

With Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning amid the NEET paper leak controversy and the government accepting several of the protesters’ other demands, the CJP has called off its agitation.

“I could go to sleep and wake up in my bedroom without thinking about what to do next or what will happen till evening,” the 30-year-old said in a video message posted on X.

“There is no panic,” he added, describing the 37 days of protest as “really, really difficult.”

‘This is just the beginning’

Despite the end of the agitation, Dipke made it clear that he does not consider the CJP's journey over.

“This is just the beginning,” he said, adding that the Cockroach Janta Party “has a long way to go.”

Dipke founded the CJP in May as a satirical response to a remark by the Chief Justice of India. What began as satire soon developed into a youth-led movement that drew thousands of supporters.

‘Cockroaches’ take over Jantar Mantar

Over the following weeks, thousands of CJP supporters — who called themselves “cockroaches” — gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Chants of “inquilab” echoed across the protest site as students and young protesters demanded accountability over the NEET paper leak and the distress faced by aspirants.

The protesters held Dharmendra Pradhan responsible for the controversy and demanded his resignation.

Pradhan resigns, CJP calls off protest

After sustained protests, Pradhan resigned as Education Minister. The government also accepted several other demands raised by the CJP and assured protesters that no action would be taken against them.

The CJP subsequently withdrew its protest.

For Dipke, however, the victory came after more than a month of intense pressure and uncertainty.

‘I really appreciate what you did’

Dipke, who said he was battling typhoid and running a fever, apologised for being unable to personally thank everyone gathered at Jantar Mantar on the final day of the protest.

“All the people who were waiting for Jantar Mantar for 37 days, I want to thank each and every one of you. And I want to tell you that I really, really, really appreciate what you did for this country,” he said.

He also thanked those who criticised the movement, saying the questions raised by critics helped the CJP improve.

“I think that's why we were able to deliver as well,” he said.

What next for the CJP?

The protest may have ended, but Dipke's message suggests the CJP's political journey is only beginning.

After emerging from a satirical experiment to become the face of a nationwide youth movement, Dipke now faces the bigger question of what the CJP does next.

For now, he appears to be enjoying a rare moment of calm.

“There is no panic,” he said — a striking contrast to the intense 37 days that came before it.