How CJP protest spread to UK, USA, Europe, got Indian diaspora's support

The Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which lasted 36 days and succeeded with its principal demand being met by the Centre, garnered global support with the Indian diaspora and students, who have always been believed to be backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, supporting the “cockroaches”.

The CJP’s protest was called off on Saturday (July 25) after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. The CJP had started protesting, demanding Pradhan’s ouster following the NEET exam paper leak.

Also read: How India's new anti-paper leak law can improve its exam structure

What started as a protest in just one city spread to several small and big Indian cities. Gen Z, students, parents, and many others gathered at various locations across the country to raise their voices against the Narendra Modi government, demanding accountability for exam paper leaks and other issues.

Not only in India, but the ‘cockroaches’ movement also gained support from the Indian diaspora, students, and others, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, in England, Ireland, Scotland, the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and across North America.

Protests in the United Kingdom

In London, England, protesters, led by Students' Federation of India (SFI) – United Kingdom, gathered outside the Indian Embassy demanding justice for India’s students. The organisers said, “We join the stand with students in the demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.” They also wanted the National Testing Agency (NTA) scrapped.

Also read: When NDA leaders’ children turned ‘cockroaches’ to back NEET protests

Similarly, across England, there were hundreds of students who joined demonstrations at Trafalgar Square in Central London, Radcliffe Camera in Oxford University, Nottingham, Manchester and other places.

They also protested outside the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, and also in Glasgow. The demonstration saw “a massive turnout”, according to the organisers.

What Thunberg said

Joining the protesters at Trafalgar Square, Thunberg said the Indian student protest had “made us all proud”.

“The Indian student protest has made us all proud! They have given us hope! They show what we can accomplish when people come together and resist. They show the true meaning of people power. The Indian students' struggle for justice and the broader struggle for democracy and liberation is also our struggle. So we all have to come together now and rise up in solidarity with India,” Thunberg said.

Also read: After Centre, CJP confronts BJP-ruled states, warns Bihar, Bengal over protesters' arrests

Following Pradhan’s resignation, SFI UK declared, “We fought, we won”.

“We fought, we won. Trafalgar Square saw hundreds show up at SFI UK’s call for solidarity with the Indian student movement! London salutes the victory, we march on in unity. Study and Struggle Zindabad!” the organisation posted on X (Formerly Twitter).

The SFI-UK Leeds committee in England said on X that it organised a “victory gathering in celebrating the win of student solidarity in India and across borders that brought in the first resignation in the 12 years of BJP rule. Onwards and upwards comrades”.

USA

Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), which was part of the protest in New York City, USA, said that more than 500 students and community members gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in New York’s Union Square on Friday, July 24, according to organisers.

Protesters held "Stand with India's students for a future they can trust", "Main Bhi cockroach (I am also cockroach)", and other banners in New York.

Demonstrations also took place or were announced in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, San José, Fremont, Austin, London, Dublin, Berlin, Manchester, Toronto, Vancouver and other cities, according to the organisers.

HfHR said it helped organise demonstrations in New York and San José, worked with members and allies participating in London and Dublin and amplified actions organised independently by students and community groups elsewhere.

Canada and Europe

As per reports, protests were held in Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, and in The Hague in the Netherlands, Berlin (Germany) in Europe.