High Court to Urgent Plea: June 6 'Cockroach Janata Party' Protest Gets No Relief

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to give an urgent hearing on a PIL seeking issuance of precautionary and crowd control instructions regarding the proposed 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on June 6. The petition claimed that the proposed demonstration could affect the law and order situation and there is a danger of disturbing public peace. However, the vacation bench refused to list the matter immediately.

What was the demand made in the petition? 

The petition was filed by an NGO named 'Save India Foundation'. In this, Delhi Police and associated agencies were asked to implement special security and control measures for the demonstration. The petitioner's argument was that a large number of people would gather, which would affect traffic and public order. A demand was also made to change the venue of the event to somewhere else.

What is Cockroach Janata Party?

CJP is not a common political party. This is a campaign of satire and symbolic protest running on social media. It was started by Abhijeet Dipke living in Boston. This platform has been raising issues like unemployment, accountability of institutions, education system and media freedom. This has been in discussion for the last few days.

How did the campaign start with the Supreme Court's comments?

CJP came into limelight after the hearing in the Supreme Court on May 15. On that day, the then Chief Justice Surya Kant had made a verbal comment regarding unemployed youth and the activities going on on social media. This statement sparked debate on social media. Later the court clarified that the comment was for those who take advantage of the system with fake degrees. Nevertheless, there was resentment among many sections regarding the statement and after that the CJP campaign intensified.

What are the demands behind the demonstration?

CJP has called for gathering at Jantar Mantar on June 6. The organization says that it will raise its voice against the controversies related to NEET paper leak and CBSE examination. The protesters are also demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. An appeal has been made on social media to people to participate in large numbers.

What was the petitioner worried about?

The petition alleges that some online posts of the organization are inciting anti-government sentiments. The petitioner claimed that people were being instigated by mentioning political movements and unrest in other countries in some messages. On this basis, additional security and crowd control arrangements were demanded in Delhi.

Has Save India Foundation been in controversy before?

'Save India Foundation', which has filed petitions in the Delhi High Court, has already been in the news for several PILs. The court has many times raised questions about the intention and basis of the organization on petitions related to religious places and has also reprimanded it. For this reason, in this new case also the court did not accept the demand for immediate hearing.