India’s Gen Z group warns protests would resume amid ‘govt's betrayal’

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), India’s trending Gen Z activist group, on Sunday warned the BJP government that it would announce renewed demonstrations the next day if ministers continued to defy the promises made to the “country’s youth.”

The government had made no progress in dropping the names of student protesters from FIRs filed over the June-July agitation, CJP alleged.

The online outfit-turned-pressure group accused the federal government of betraying the youth, and urged officials to fulfil their commitments while there was still time in a bid to “convincingly end” the protests in New Delhi and elsewhere across the country.

The group also denounced a dedicated team formed by the ruling party to woo young minds and voters in the wake of unprecedented youth agitation against the government in June-July.

BJP’s team for the forthcoming “Gen Z Outreach Programme” includes members who ridiculed the protesters, terming them as “virus and cockroaches,” CJP Spokesperson Saurav Das said on X.

CJP launched a movement in June demanding legal penalties for leaks of public job entry test questions, and comprehensive overhaul of the exam procedures.

"We will not allow the Government to insult an entire generation by making promises to end a peaceful movement and then attempting to wriggle out of those very promises once the streets have emptied. A commitment made to the youth of India must be honoured both, in letter and in spirit," the CJP wrote in an official statement.

Govt yet to provide list to Court

In its statement, the CJP stated that despite repeated requests from the court over the FIRs filed against student protestors for quashing, the government is yet to provide a list.

"The Union Government did not commit to providing it. At the press conference immediately thereafter, CJP Co-Convener Saurav Das and Legal Affairs Lead Ratna Singh warned that the Government appears to be attempting to cheat the young generation of this country after securing the withdrawal of our agitation on the basis of solemn commitments at the joint PC," said the statement.

The group added that any attempt to now dilute, delay, reinterpret or dishonour the commitments made would “constitute an unacceptable breach of trust and a ‘vishwasghaat’ with the youngsters of this country.”

CJP warns of action, hints at stir

The Cockroach Janta Party also stated it will convene on 24 August to decide its course of action and warned of another potential stir.

"We therefore request students, young citizens, supporters and CJP volunteers across the country to remain prepared for what’s next on August 24," the group added.

The group added that a delegation from the government has not reached out to team regarding the steps taken on the commitment, which included monetary compensation to the families of the NEET students who died by suicide.

“The protests achieved Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation but rest assured, we will not rest until each and every commitment made to the young generation is fulfilled,” CJP noted.

Cockroach Janta Party ended its over a month-long protest on 25 July, announcing that all of its demands have been accepted by the government.

The three key demands that the government agreed to, according to the CJP were -

•             Maximum possible compensation for families of NEET paper leak-related suicides.

•             All FIRs by Central govt and NDA-ruled states will be withdrawn, and no action will be taken against anyone involved in these protests in the future.

•             CJP’s 5-point exam reform charter will be considered by the govt and the CJP will meet with the govt to discuss these reforms further