Cockroach Janata Party Founder Abhijit Deepke Slapped at Jaipur NEET Protest

Abhijit Deepke, founder of the satirically named Cockroach Janata Party, was physically attacked by members of a crowd at Jaipur's Shaheed Smarak on the afternoon of the protest he himself had organised against the NEET examination controversy. Deepke had called for a peaceful demonstration at 3 pm at the monument in Rajasthan's capital, but the event turned violent before he could even address the gathering.

Supporters were carrying Deepke on their shoulders toward the stage when a few individuals in the crowd yanked the scarf around his neck. As he bent forward from the pull, attackers grabbed him, slapped him multiple times, and attempted to drag him down. The protest venue erupted into confusion for several minutes. Videos circulating widely on social media show Deepke being shoved and jostled by a group surrounding him. Police intervened to restore order, and an investigation is now underway. Authorities have not yet identified the attackers or confirmed any motive.

Deepke responded swiftly on X, calling physical assaults a sign of fear and cowardice. "We will continue to raise our voices peacefully," he wrote. "I am a follower of Gandhi and Ambedkar, and I will keep fighting this battle with peace and love." He also reiterated his demand that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign over the exam irregularities allegations.

The Cockroach Janata Party had already launched a nationwide protest campaign against the NEET paper leak, CBSE OSM-related issues, and broader examination system fraud. The movement began with a large student rally in New Delhi, then expanded to Amritsar, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Lucknow. Deepke has warned that if Pradhan does not step down, another major protest will be held in Delhi.

Prominent figures have backed the campaign. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, actor Prakash Rai, and others have publicly aligned themselves with the movement, lending it visibility beyond student circles. Deepke says the struggle will continue as the voice of young people demanding accountability in India's examination system.

📰 Source: Udupi Times