Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday launched an online petition urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to use his Independence Day address to speak directly to the country's youth on issues including education, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
Dipke announced the initiative on social media, appealing to people to support the petition and press for greater attention to concerns affecting young Indians.
“This Independence Day, we want the Prime Minister to address India's youth,” Dipke said in a post on X.
“We request the PM to explain what the government is doing for youth regarding education, unemployment, and the cost of living,” he added.
Petition targets youth concerns
The petition marks the latest initiative by the CJP following its recent agitation over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and broader concerns surrounding India's education system.
Through the petition, the organisation is seeking a response from the Prime Minister on three issues it considers particularly significant for young people — the state of education, employment opportunities and increasing living expenses.
The appeal comes ahead of Modi's Independence Day address from the Red Fort on August 15.
CJP led 36-day agitation
The CJP was at the forefront of a 36-day protest in Delhi over alleged irregularities in NEET and demands for wider reforms in the examination and education systems.
Beginning at Jantar Mantar, the agitation attracted students and supporters from different parts of the country and eventually expanded beyond its initial focus on the examination controversy.
The protest culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.
The CJP subsequently withdrew the agitation after the government agreed to key demands raised by the protesters, including consideration of the organisation's five-point examination reform charter.
The protesters were also assured that no cases would be registered against those who participated in the agitation.
Campaign grew from social media
The movement initially began as a campaign on social media before developing into a wider mobilisation, with Dipke emerging as the CJP's founder and one of its principal public faces.
The prolonged demonstration at Jantar Mantar also received support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the agitation and undertook a hunger strike.
The campaign brought greater attention to student concerns surrounding competitive examinations and demands for accountability in the country's education system.
Focus expands beyond NEET
Following the conclusion of the Jantar Mantar agitation, the CJP has sought to broaden its campaign beyond NEET and examination-related issues.
At its National Working Committee meeting held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on August 5 and 6, the organisation announced a nationwide initiative titled ‘Kya Bolti Public’ National Listening Tour and Education Reform Campaign.
The programme is scheduled to begin on September 1.
CJP leaders plan to travel across the country and interact directly with young people to gather their views on education, employment and other issues affecting them.
Youth Reform Charter planned
The organisation has said the feedback gathered during the nationwide tour will be used to prepare a citizen-driven Youth Reform Charter.
The proposed document will focus on four broad areas — comprehensive education reform, closer integration of education with employment, greater institutional accountability, and building solidarity and alliances.
As part of the final area, the organisation intends to engage with political parties, student organisations, civil society groups and social movements.
The exercise is aimed at developing a broader platform around issues affecting students and young workers rather than restricting the organisation's activities to individual examination controversies.
Nationwide membership drive
The CJP has also announced a membership campaign as it seeks to expand its organisational presence across the country.
Students, young professionals and workers have been invited to join the organisation as part of the drive.
Despite expanding its activities and organisational structure, the CJP has maintained that it does not intend to enter electoral politics.
The organisation has said it will continue to function as an independent public pressure group, using campaigns, public mobilisation and engagement with institutions to raise issues concerning young people.
The Independence Day petition is the first major initiative announced after its National Working Committee meeting and indicates the organisation's attempt to place broader youth concerns at the centre of its campaign following the conclusion of the NEET agitation.