New Delhi (India) August 6: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has said that for the time being, it will continue to work as a public pressure group and not as a political party engaging in electoral politics after a two-day core committee team meeting in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
CJP founder Abijeet Dipke at a press conference after the meeting said that CJP will focus on constructing a countrywide citizens’ campaign in connection with issues related to unemployment, education, transparency, responsibility, and structural reforms. To achieve this, they have already launched a “Kya Bolti Public” campaign.
Employment Crisis Dominates CJP Agenda
Dipke said that employment had turned into a significant topic of discussion across the country. However, in India there has been a lack of adequate employment options for youths.
He said, “A vast number of people in our country are under the age of 35. Does anyone want to grow up to be a delivery boy? Because there are no jobs in our country, they are forced to do it. Unemployment is a major issue. Eighty per cent of the unemployed hold degrees. Now people in our country are wondering if they made a mistake by getting educated. People who never earned degrees are running the government. Unemployment cannot be ignored; it must be a subject of political discussion. Gen Z has shown us the way, or else we will take to the streets. No single person can solve all the problems of the country—the same false promise was made in 2014.”
NEET Protests Inspire Nationwide Campaign
According to the CJP founder, the students-led protest regarding the alleged paper leak of NEET exam which had resulted in the expulsion of Former Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan, was the biggest milestone and it did instill courage in Indian people to speak up.
In relation to alleged examination scam in Jharkhand, Dipke stated that organisation may lead to expedition to the State if necessary for students struggling with alleged test discrepancies. Furthermore, he stated that resolutions which were passed at the meeting would guide the organization's activities by promoting a grassroots network of organizations around states and strengthening programs designed for outreach to youth for gaining mass public support.
Restoring Trust In Democratic Institutions
Dipke mentioned that there are so many problems in India, thus instead of bringing another political party, the citizens should take this forward through the organization. Due to lack of faith in institutions such as politicians, media, judiciary, election commission, they want to build trust again by way of mobilisation of the public .
"Whether it is the political system, the judiciary, the media, or the Election Commission, the reality is that people have lost faith in all these institutions. We believe that, to restore accountability and neutrality in these institutions, a public movement and public pressure are needed," Dipke said.