Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Tuesday responded sharply to BJP MP Kangana Ranaut's criticism of the party's NEET paper leak protests, saying even leaders within her own party do not take her seriously.
"Even members of her own party don't pay much heed to Kangana Ranaut or take her seriously, so why should we?" Das said.
He further claimed that Ranaut lacks credibility among Gen Z, Gen Alpha and younger generations, adding that she is now a politician.
Das also referred to videos from Ranaut's visits to her parliamentary constituency in which she said she had initially believed the role of an MP involved very little work before later realising how demanding it actually was.
"That speaks volumes about her own seriousness," he remarked.
Kangana's comments trigger controversy
Das's response came after Ranaut strongly criticised the CJP-led agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. Referring to videos from the protests, she described them as "puke-inducing" and labelled Gen Z as the "generation gutter."
In an Instagram post reacting to the viral clips, Ranaut said she had never witnessed so much ugliness in one place.
She criticised the language and behaviour of some protesters, writing that every frame appeared "jarring" and "crass," and questioned who was raising such individuals.
Describing India as "a place of diversely beautiful people, draped in elegance and rooted in cultural sophistication," Ranaut also targeted the CJP.
She wrote that the group called itself "cockroaches" and, according to her, also behaved like them, adding that there was "no paradox or juxtaposition" and accusing them of spreading "filth, garbage and ugliness."
Ranaut further said the videos had left her feeling "scarred" and that she needed "some healing" and a "digital detox."
CJP hints at fresh protests
Meanwhile, the CJP has warned of another round of nationwide protests, accusing the Centre of going back on its assurance to withdraw FIRs against student protesters despite the Supreme Court granting interim relief to those arrested during the agitation.
The warning came after the Supreme Court directed states to release all detained students below the age of 18 and those without criminal antecedents who had been arrested during the nationwide paper leak protests.
However, the CJP expressed concern over the portion of the court's order that allows governments to continue with existing FIRs and investigations.
The organisation launched its protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on June 6, demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The movement gained momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk began a 26-day hunger strike in support of the demand.
The agitation concluded on July 25 after Pradhan resigned and, according to the CJP, the Centre agreed to compensate the families of those who had died by suicide and assured that FIRs against protesters would not be pursued.
