Nearly 6,000 students and candidates preparing for one-day competitive examinations staged a protest at Eco Garden in Lucknow on Friday. Cockroach Janata Party chief Abhijeet Dipke joined the demonstration, remained at the venue for about 40 minutes, addressed the gathering, and urged participants to join a protest in Delhi on June 20 before leaving.
“Protesting is the greatest act of patriotism”
In his address, Dipke said that India was shaped by mass movements and that protests had played a crucial role in securing both independence and democracy.
“Our country was built through a movement. Without such struggles, we would not have gained freedom. If there had been no movement against the Emergency, democracy would not exist today. Protesting is the greatest act of patriotism,” he said.
He also demanded accountability in alleged examination paper leak cases, saying that everyone responsible—whether related to Lekhpal, UPSI, NEET or CBSE examinations—should resign.
Abhijeet Dipke was being covered by 2 to 3 people at the airport
Arrived with a copy of the constitution, left after 40 minutes
The protest began at 10 AM, while Dipke reached Eco Garden around 1:30 p.m., carrying a copy of the Constitution. Police escorted him to the protest site under security arrangements. After spending around 40 minutes at the venue, he departed in a cab.
More than 1,500 personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), and local police were deployed during the demonstration.
Students raise slogans, some oppose political participation
Hundreds of students and supporters attended the protest carrying posters and banners, chanting slogans such as “Stop paper leaks” and “Release the UPSI scorecards.”
However, some students and recruitment aspirants objected to the participation of the Cockroach Party and Abhijeet Dipke. They argued that their movement was independent and unrelated to the party, alleging that political involvement could undermine their campaign and delay the recruitment process.
Dipke had arrived in Lucknow at around 2:20 a.m. on Thursday night wearing a Team India T-shirt. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar at Amausi Airport before the event, he said the demonstration would remain peaceful, similar to previous protests held in Delhi and Pune.
“We are not doing anything wrong. We are simply exercising our constitutional right to express our views in a democracy,” he said.
The Cockroach Party had earlier organised demonstrations in Pune on June 11 and at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on June 6.
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Updates
After being asked to disperse by the police, the protesting students and recruitment aspirants began leaving Eco Garden while continuing to raise slogans in support of their demands.
As the clock struck 4 PM, police began making announcements directing protesters to vacate Eco Garden. Permission for the demonstration had been granted only from 10 AM to 4 PM, and authorities started clearing the venue after the permitted time ended.
Nitin, a teacher from Noida, alleged that Cockroach Janata Party chief Abhijeet Dipke attempted to derail the entire demonstration and was unaware of the actual issues being protested.
“He claimed that he had called for this protest, but that is not true. We planned this demonstration 15 days ago, and competitive exam aspirants from across Uttar Pradesh were part of it,” Nitin said.
He added that the protest was specifically aimed at opposing the state government’s handling of recruitment examinations. “He did not even understand the issue and was demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, whereas our protest was about the state government’s examination process,” he said.
Anand Azad, who participated in the protest, alleged that the current government has completely neglected young people. He said issues such as alleged paper leaks in the NEET, UPSI, and Lekhpal examinations had forced students and job aspirants to come together and protest.
“They have gathered here so that their concerns are heard. As recruitment processes keep getting delayed by six months or even a year, many candidates are losing valuable time and growing older while waiting,” he said.
Vikrant, a teacher who came from Noida to support the recruitment aspirants, said that the movement belonged to the students and was solely for their welfare.
“This protest was by the students and for the students. It was entirely focused on their interests and had no political agenda. We did not invite Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet to participate in the demonstration,” he said.
After delivering his speech, Abhijeet Dipke left Eco Garden in a cab. During his address, he urged young people to participate in the protest scheduled to be held in Delhi on June 20.
CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke addressed the protesters, saying, “Our country was born out of a movement. Without movements, we would not have achieved independence, and without them, democracy would not exist today. Protesting is one of the greatest acts of patriotism.”
He urged people to join the protest scheduled in Delhi on June 20, adding, “Whether it is the Lekhpal exam, UPSI, NEET, or CBSE, everyone found responsible for paper leaks will have to resign.”
UPSI and Lekhpal recruitment aspirants are continuing their protest, demanding that the examinations be conducted again and the results be declared.
During the demonstration, supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party climbed trees to catch a glimpse of Abhijeet Dipke.
Supporters of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and UPSI recruitment candidates have split into separate groups and are protesting independently. According to reporter Faridul Hasan, the UPSI and Lekhpal aspirants are holding one demonstration, while supporters of Abhijeet have formed a second group and are protesting separately. The two groups are demonstrating side by side.
According to Bhaskar reporter Faridul Hasan, who is reporting from the ground at Eco Garden, more than 6,000 candidates are currently present at the site.
Abhijeet Dipke arrived carrying a copy of the Constitution. He showed the book to the protesting students.
During the moment, many people gathered around him and there was a rush to take selfies with him.
Cockroach Party chief Abhijeet Dipke is being taken inside Eco Garden by police personnel.
During this, slogans of “paper leak will not be tolerated” were heard from the crowd.
Cockroach Party chief Abhijeet Dipke has reached Eco Garden.
Police personnel escorted him inside the venue, forming a security cordon around him.
Joint CP Babloo Kumar visited Eco Garden around 1:30 pm to inspect the arrangements.
He told the media that information was received through social media about a planned protest in Lucknow.
Inputs also suggested that different organisations were expected to take part in the demonstration.
In response, nearly 1,500 police personnel have been deployed under the supervision of senior officers.
This includes three companies of central forces and two companies of PAC.
Several officers have also been stationed in plain clothes, while CCTV surveillance is being used to monitor the area.
He warned that anyone found creating disturbance will be identified and strict action will be taken.
Vinay Yadav, who travelled from Ayodhya to join the protest, said that examination papers are being leaked repeatedly.
He said candidates struggle to answer their families when asked about their future.
According to him, students prepare with determination and sit the exams with hope, but when a paper is leaked, they are forced to start the process all over again. He said the emotional and mental burden of repeatedly preparing for the same examination becomes exhausting.
Different student groups have joined the protest at Eco Garden, each with its own agenda and demands.
While students affiliated with left-wing organisations are protesting against the government, candidates appearing for Uttar Pradesh recruitment exams say the issue is primarily a failure of the system.
The protest is mainly being led by candidates from the Lekhpal and UPSI recruitment processes, many of whom have travelled from Prayagraj.
Candidates from Prayagraj said they are not associated with the Cockroach Janata Party.
They claimed that if Abhijeet Dipke were to arrive at Eco Garden, the arrangements could break down and the atmosphere might become tense.
The presence of multiple groups with differing viewpoints led to moments of disorder at the venue.
There were heated arguments between participants, and on some occasions, the situation appeared close to turning into a physical confrontation.
NSUI vice-president Ahmed said he stands with the young protesters and that the demonstration is not related to the Cockroach Party.
He said UPSI candidates have gathered here to stage a protest and had previously held a similar demonstration in Prayagraj.
He alleged that examination papers are being leaked, including those for the UPSI and Lekhpal recruitment exams.
According to him, the government must acknowledge these issues and address the concerns being raised by candidates.
Young people from Prayagraj have also joined the protest. A candidate identified as Bhim Bauddh said he is an applicant for the UPSI recruitment process and that the group’s demand is simple: the recruitment scorecards should be released.
He said that even if he had scored only one mark, he would still want to know his result. According to him, transparency is more important than the score itself.
He also stressed that the movement has no connection with the Cockroach Party. He claimed that if Abhijeet Dipke were to attend the protest, it could undermine their campaign. He alleged that Dipke was pursuing a political agenda and said his presence could give the government an excuse to delay the release of recruitment results. The protesters, he added, do not want to provide any such opportunity.
Members of the Student Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) are distributing pamphlets in support of the protest. The pamphlets call for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Students are entering the protest venue, Eco Garden, in groups. One such group entered the garden and is reportedly associated with the ExamPur coaching institute.
Vivek Kumar, founder of ExamPur Coaching and a resident of Bulandshahr, had sought permission from the Lucknow Commissionerate to hold the demonstration.
Supporters accompanying Vivek Kumar raised slogans such as “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
The protest being led by ExamPur Coaching and AISA is also set to receive support from Abhijeet Deepke of the Cockroach Janata Party.
Young protesters at Eco Garden are raising slogans such as “Stop Paper Leaks” and “Release the UPSI Scorecard.”
Police personnel remain deployed in the area, maintaining strict vigil during the demonstration.
A heavy police presence has been deployed inside Eco Garden, the designated protest venue. Barricades have been put up around certain areas, and security personnel remain on high alert throughout the site.
A young man dressed as a cockroach said he came to the venue after learning about the students’ protest. He said he had also covered the Delhi protest earlier.
According to him, any protest against government failures is justified.
He said people across society need to become more aware and stand up for their rights.
He added that citizens must speak out against any form of corruption that affects them.
Young people are still arriving at Eco Garden. Personnel from the RAF are deployed outside the venue. Traffic in the area is moving normally.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was formed after a remark made by Chief Justice Suryakant.
During a hearing on 15 May, he said that some unemployed young people are like cockroaches who later become part of the media, social media, or RTI activism and attack the system.
The day after the remark, on 16 May, US-based Abhijeet Deepke launched CJP and created its social media accounts.
On 22 May, he started an online petition demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The organisers claim the petition received support from more than 800,000 people.
Just 26 days after its launch, CJP’s Instagram account has reportedly gained 22.7 million followers.
This is higher than the BJP’s 9.4 million and the Congress party’s 13.7 million followers on the platform. On X, CJP has around 275,000 followers.
| Party | X (formerly Twitter) | |
| Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) | 22.7 million (2.27 crore) | 275,000 (2.75 lakh) |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 9.4 million (94 lakh) | 23 million (2.30 crore) |
| Congress | 13.7 million (1.37 crore) | 11.5 million (1.15 crore) |
| Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) | 1.9 million (19 lakh) | 6.1 million (61 lakh) |
Note: Figures as of 4:00 PM on 11 June.
Young people have been allowed to hold a protest at Eco Garden. A large police force has also been deployed at the venue.
Personnel are on duty with batons, bulletproof jackets and helmets.
Amit Yadav from Rudrapur in Deoria arrives at Eco Garden wearing a cockroach mask. He is also carrying another cockroach mask in his hand.
