After the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led campaign over the NEET-UG paper leak secured its biggest political win with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the movement has come under fire from one of its prominent supporters.
Political commentator and YouTuber Meghnad S has accused CJP leaders of "abandoning and starving" protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar after Pradhan stepped down on Saturday. Reacting to an Instagram video showing CJP leaders dancing and celebrating after the resignation, Meghnad alleged that while senior leaders declared that "democracy has been restored," dozens of volunteers and protesters were left stranded in Delhi without food, shelter or assistance.
He claimed that he and a few others used their own money to help many of the protesters return home after they had sustained the month-long agitation.
The allegations have sparked criticism of the CJP leadership, which has increasingly come under scrutiny over its functioning and handling of the movement, particularly during its final days.
Responding to the criticism, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told India Today TV that the gathering was meant to thank around 150 to 200 volunteers. He maintained that although videos of celebrations surfaced, the leadership was simultaneously working to assist protesters.
Meghnad is not the only person questioning the CJP leadership. The organisation has also faced criticism over its alleged treatment of Junaid, who, as reported by India Today Digital, organised food for protesters at Jantar Mantar for over a month. Critics questioned why Junaid was allegedly left to deal with detention while CJP leaders celebrated. Others pointed to Junaid's remarks in an interview with the Live Hindustan YouTube channel, where he claimed CJP leaders did not even shake hands with him before leaving after the protests. His comments prompted many social media users to question whether the leadership had treated those who supported the month-long agitation fairly.
The CJP was launched last month over the NEET-UG paper leak, with its primary demand being the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. What began as memes and social media posts soon evolved into sit-in protests at Jantar Mantar. Activist Sonam Wangchuk later began a hunger strike, while a march towards Parliament ended in a police crackdown. The agitation eventually grew into nationwide protests before Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
DID CJP LEADERS ABANDON PROTESTERS AT JANTAR MANTAR?
The criticism gained momentum after a video surfaced showing CJP spokesperson Saurav Das dancing at an indoor gathering. The clip, featuring Das dancing with a group of children, carried the caption "Resignation Party."
Other purported videos from the same event appeared to show CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke interacting with attendees.
The celebratory visuals, which emerged while several protesters were reportedly struggling to leave central Delhi, drew criticism from many, including Meghnad.
Commenting on the video, Meghnad accused the leadership of leaving the protest site while volunteers were left to manage on their own.
"I'm seeing this at 4 am in the morning. Me and a few others have spent the last two days sending abandoned and starving CJP volunteers and protestors home with our own money. I wasn't going to say anything, but I saw this video, and I'm pissed off...," Meghnad wrote.
He further alleged that volunteers who had worked for weeks were abandoned after the leadership departed from Jantar Mantar.
"Your volunteers were with you for the last month, selflessly working to make this protest possible. When you CJP 'leaders' got up and left, Delhi Police came in, took their stuff, and they were thrown out of Jantar Mantar," wrote Meghnad, who unsuccessfully contested the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
In his sharpest criticism, Meghnad concluded, "While you are partying, 70+ protestors and students were left starving in Delhi because YOU decided not to care. Congratulations CJP, you have become just another political party after all. And f**k you."
India Today has not independently verified these allegations.
Hours after posting his criticism, Meghnad shared details on social media explaining how stranded protesters could obtain Tatkal train tickets and temporary accommodation in Delhi.
"If you still want to go home and need a ticket, I'm sharing two Instagram handles. Just DM them. If you need a Tatkal ticket, message them before 10 am so you can get one. We've managed to work out a little arrangement for that. Otherwise, you'll have to wait another day," he said.
He also directed protesters needing accommodation to the Indian Youth Congress office at Windsor Place, next to the Press Club.
"If you need accommodation, you can go to the Indian Youth Congress office in Windsor Place, next to the Press Club. Please go there if you need help. If you need any other assistance, contact these two people and then DM me," he added.
CJP RESPONDS TO 'RESIGNATION PARTY' CRITICISM
Responding to the allegations, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das told India Today TV, "I think people are exaggerating a lot. One thing I want to clarify is that it was not a five-star hotel. At best, it was a two- or three-star venue. It was a basement hall where we wanted to meet our hardworking volunteers, around 150 to 200 of them. More than half were from other states and wanted to return home after spending 37 days on the road."
"We wanted to honour and thank them. Unfortunately, the visuals of us dancing came out. But what preceded that was a heart-to-heart interaction with each one of those volunteers. We were sitting on the floor and speaking to them individually. All of that happened, and it was very necessary to do so," he added.
Das also said the leadership continued working on issues affecting protesters even if they were not visible in public.
"It was not as if everyone had gathered there and nobody was taking care of the other issues we were facing. If I'm not on the stage, that doesn't mean I'm not working. The same logic applies here," he said.
While the CJP succeeded in achieving its principal demand, attention has now shifted to allegations of insensitivity and misconduct by its leadership. As criticism mounts, the organisation is facing growing questions over its accountability and conduct—many of them raised by its own supporters.
