At CJP’s first presser, questions on funding, June 6 protest and politics

Journalists filed into the Deputy Speaker Hall at the Constitution Club of India well before the stipulated time. Seating ran out quickly, with some journalists settling on the floor. 

It was a press conference that marked the first time the Cockroach Janata Party’s newly appointed spokespersons interacted with the media, fielding questions and articulating the party’s position amid swelling public interest. The briefing came just days before the movement’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, is set to return to India on June 6.

The CJP had announced its three new spokespersons the same day. Journalist Saurav Das was named Chief Spokesperson, joined by political researcher and filmmaker Vijeta Dahiya, and former management consultant Ashutosh Ranka.

The trio quelled speculation surrounding the party’s primary agenda – demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the scandals that have roiled India’s education sector. Citing a petition that has already gathered eight lakh signatures, Das called the current system “unaccountable” and argued that the “culture of non-accountability needs to go”.

The spokespersons also laid out a detailed plan of action for June 6, the day the CJP has designated for protests at Jantar Mantar. Dipke is expected to land in Delhi by 8 am and has called on supporters to receive him at the airport. The group plans to then proceed to the Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission for the demonstration before marching to the protest site.

“We have given an open call. Anybody can join us without a party banner. We are ready to have a dialogue with everybody, be it those in power or the Opposition,” Das said.

The open nature of the call, however, came with a caveat: participants were asked not to carry visible markers of political affiliation. “We have given an open call - do come without your party banner, your organisation banner. We are ready to have a dialogue with everybody, be it in power or the opposition.”

The media pressed the spokespersons on a significant procedural concern. Delhi Police typically requires a seven-day notice period before demonstrations, yet the CJP intends to seek permission and protest on the very same day. What, reporters asked, was the contingency plan if permission were denied?

The spokespersons responded by underscoring that the issues being raised – paper leaks, flawed evaluation systems – affect the children of Delhi Police personnel as much as anyone else. They expressed confidence that, given the peaceful and lawful nature of the protest, permission would be granted.

What they did not satisfactorily address was why the permission request had not been filed earlier. When the question was put to Spokesperson Vijeta Dahiya, he redirected attention to the party’s core demand, questioning why the media was focusing on procedural matters rather than on the call for Pradhan’s resignation.

Since the movement’s launch on May 16, it has been shadowed by allegations of opaque funding and, more pointedly, claims of a foreign financial angle – none of which have been substantiated so far. When asked where the money for the press conference came from, Das was dismissive. “What do we even need funding for? The poster costs Rs 200!” he said. He characterised the foreign-hand narrative as a “counter-narrative” and called it a tactic that is a standard practice against any political movement.

The CJP also faced questions over its alleged ties to the Aam Aadmi Party, particularly given that Dipke previously served as a core member of AAP’s social media team. Spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka addressed this, stating that their “past affiliation is not important,” and urging the public not to reduce a national movement to its members' individual histories.

Das framed the AAP-linkage allegations within a broader pattern: those who challenge the system, he argued, are routinely labelled “anti-national,” “Pakistani,” or aligned with the Opposition.

All eyes are now on the June 6 demonstration, which is expected to be attended by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

With inputs from Samagra Thakur. He's an editorial intern with Newslaundry.

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