Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has refused to urgently hear a plea against the police crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party protesters. He made sharp remarks while declining to take up the matter.
“We are not interested in videos. We don’t have time to watch,” the CJI said. The comment came as he refused an urgent hearing on the plea.
A lawyer mentioned the petition before the Chief Justice-led bench on Wednesday. He urged the court to take up the matter on its own. The court declined.
“Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time,” Chief Justice Surya Kant told the lawyer.
The counsel pressed on. He argued the students were protesting over serious issues. These included the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, exam conduct, and reforms in the National Testing Agency.
The CJI cut him short. “Thank you very much,” he said.
The lawyer then referred to videos allegedly showing police excesses. The CJI was firm again. “We don’t have time. We don’t want to watch videos,” he repeated.
The case carries an ironic backstory. The Cockroach Janta Party takes its name from an earlier remark by Justice Surya Kant himself.
He had used the word “cockroach” while referring to unemployed youth turning to journalism and activism. The comment triggered massive backlash. He later clarified he meant only those with fake or bogus degrees.
Within days of that remark, the satirical platform CJP was born. It grew fast. In two months, it gained millions of followers online. It also became a street movement, drawing tens of thousands of supporters.
CJP supporters and students have now camped at Jantar Mantar for a month. They are demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET-UG paper leak.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk joined them on June 28. He began an indefinite hunger strike in support of their demands.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
