Cockroach Party names 3 spokespersons ahead of June 6 protest; marks first step to formalise movement

NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led satirical movement that has amassed over 20 million Instagram followers in a matter of weeks, on Wednesday announced the appointment of three spokespersons, saying the move is part of its effort to “build a new generation of leadership” and "change the political discourse of India".

Journalist Saurav Das has been appointed chief spokesperson, while political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka will serve as spokespersons.

The appointments come ahead of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's return to India on June 6. Dipke had on Tuesday told TOI from the US that though he fears arrest the moment he lands in India, he is coming to the country to exercise his "fundamental and constitutional right to protest peacefully". The organisation has called for a march in Delhi demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination-related lapses, including the recent NEET-UG controversy.

Dipke has said supporters should gather at the airport before accompanying him to Parliament Street police station to seek permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar. Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk has said he will join the protest.

Announcing the appointments, the organisation said the three office bearers would "speak on behalf of the movement...CJP is committed to changing the political discourse of India, and this will be led by a new generation of leaders..."

Das was among those who led the anti-pollution protests at India Gate in November 2025. Dahiya, a writer, filmmaker and content creator, is an alumnus of Delhi Technological University, according to CJP. Ranka, meanwhile, studied at IIT Kanpur and London School of Economics before joining McKinsey & Company in London, said CJP. According to the organisation, he advised international organisations on operational and economic strategy before returning to India last year.

The CJP movement has so far relied largely on online mobilisation and protest campaigns. These appointments mark the first time CJP has formally designated spokespersons in an effort to institutionalise the effort and drive public opinion.