Fadnavis Targets ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ Protest, Says Jantar Mantar Rally Reflects ‘Anarchist Mindset’

Mumbai, June 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the protest organised at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar by the self-styled “Cockroach Janata Party,” questioning the intentions of the movement and accusing its leaders of promoting an agenda of disorder rather than democratic reform.

The demonstration, led by US-returned activist Abhijeet Dipke, drew support from opposition leaders and a section of youth active on social media. Protesters raised concerns over issues affecting students and young people, including the fallout from examination controversies, and demanded accountability from the government.

However, Fadnavis dismissed the movement’s claims, arguing that the speeches and slogans delivered during the protest revealed its true character.

“You all must have witnessed the speeches and slogans raised at Jantar Mantar today. One thing has become clear from it — this is not the true voice of India’s youth. Instead, it represents a mentality that seeks to spread lawlessness. It has become evident that this platform has turned into an arena for anarchy,” the Chief Minister said.

Fadnavis further accused the protesters of contradiction and hypocrisy. According to him, participants carried copies of the Constitution drafted under the leadership of Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar while simultaneously questioning the legitimacy of constitutional institutions established under that very framework.

“They speak of uprooting the system created by the Constitution and appear interested only in creating chaos. Their statements have exposed their real intentions. The faces behind this movement stand revealed, and such motives will never succeed,” he said.

The Chief Minister maintained that the agitation had failed to resonate with the wider public and claimed that it lacked genuine mass support despite receiving attention on social media platforms.

The remarks came amid growing political debate over the protest, which has become a rallying point for sections of the youth dissatisfied with issues related to education, employment and competitive examinations.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray voiced support for the demonstrators and cautioned the government against dismissing their concerns.

Speaking about the protest, Thackeray said the anger and frustration of young people should not be underestimated. He argued that the youth participating in the demonstration were expressing genuine anxieties about their future and deserved to be heard rather than ridiculed.

“The youth, who are the future of the nation and the architects of tomorrow, have taken to the streets in the scorching heat carrying their pain and concerns. The movement led by Abhijeet Dipke at Jantar Mantar received a strong response from young people,” Thackeray said.

Referring to the name adopted by the movement, he criticised attempts to mock protesters by calling them “cockroaches” and linked the agitation to grievances arising from the alleged NEET examination paper leak controversy.

According to Thackeray, lakhs of students had suffered because of irregularities in competitive examinations, and many affected youths were now using the protest platform to express their frustration and demand justice.

The contrasting reactions from Fadnavis and Thackeray have added a political dimension to the Jantar Mantar protest, turning it into a broader debate over youth discontent, accountability in public institutions and the role of protest movements in a democratic society. As the agitation continues to attract attention, it is increasingly becoming a focal point in the ongoing political contest between the ruling establishment and the opposition.