CJP's Saurav Das on NEET protests, police crackdown, and the politics of Gen Z

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Saurav Das, chief spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), discusses how a youth-led platform that began as a viral online campaign became the face of nationwide protests demanding accountability over exam paper leaks. Das speaks about the movement that culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the government's response, and what the protests reveal about the political aspirations of India's young generation. He discusses how the CJP transformed online support into a nationwide movement, the police crackdown on protesters, negotiations with the government, demands for justice for those injured during the protests, and why issues such as unemployment, paper leaks, and public distrust resonated far beyond the immediate trigger of the NEET controversy. Das also shares the CJP's plans for the future and whether the movement could reshape youth participation in Indian politics. Chapters: 00:00 | Introduction 01:01 | Cockroach Janta Party: From meme to movement 02:34 | Abhijit Dipke's US-to-India comeback for CJP 04:00 | Building the CJP core team 06:08 | How CJP was funded by public donations 07:04 | NEET paper leak sparks youth protest 10:21 | July 20 police crackdown & pellet gun injuries 12:04 | Sakshi platform: Legal aid for protesters 13:40 | Dharmendra Pradhan resignation demand 15:51 | FIR withdrawal & Supreme Court row 19:55 | JP Nadda talks & illegal detention claims 26:35 | Pradhan Resigns: Jantar Mantar celebrations 28:10 | Gen Z protest language on Instagram 34:38 | CJP's grassroots plan ahead of 2029 elections Highlights: How the CJP evolved from a meme into a nationwide movement Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation and what it means politically NEET paper leak, exam reforms, and the crisis of public trust Police action at Jantar Mantar and allegations of police brutality Negotiations between the government and CJP leaders The role of Gen Z, social media, and online mobilisation Why unemployment, inflation, and paper leaks fuelled the protests Will the CJP enter electoral politics? Perfect for viewers interested in: Indian politics Student protests NEET paper leak Education policy Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation Cockroach Janta Party Jantar Mantar protests Gen Z politics Youth movements in India Credits: Host: Soni Mishra Camera: Dipesh Arora and Deepanshu Chhabra Editing: Razal Pareed Creative Assistance: Vedaant Lakhera Producers: Muhammed Mukhtar T H If you found this video insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Frontline for more in-depth conversations. Subscribe to Frontline: Subscribe to Frontline Digital: Renewals / New Subscriptions for Unlimited Access Follow us on: Facebook -   / frontlineindia   Twitter - Frontline (@frontline_india) / X Instagram -   / frontline.magazine   LinkedIn -   / frontline-magazine-b12921295   #frontlineconversations #cockroachjantaparty #cjp #sauravdas #dharmendrapradhan #neet #neetpaperleak #studentprotest #jantarmantar #genz #education #indianpolitics #youthpolitics #modigovernment