'They Abandoned And Starved Protesters': Activist Slams CJP Over 'Resignation Party' Video

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which recently claimed a major political victory after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the NEET-UG paper leak issue, is now facing criticism over its handling of protesters following the resignation.

Political commentator and YouTuber Meghnad S accused CJP leaders of “abandoning and starving” protesters at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after Pradhan stepped down on Saturday.

The allegations surfaced after videos appeared online showing CJP leaders celebrating what they described as the restoration of democracy. Meghnad alleged that while senior leaders celebrated, dozens of volunteers and protesters who had sustained the month-long agitation were left in Delhi without food, shelter or assistance.

The criticism has brought the party’s leadership and functioning under renewed scrutiny, particularly over how it handled the final phase of the protest.

The controversy began after a video showed CJP spokesperson Saurav Das dancing with a group of children at an indoor venue. The clip carried the caption “Resignation Party”.

Some purported videos from the same gathering also showed CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke meeting attendees.

Reacting to the video, Meghnad alleged that CJP leaders left Jantar Mantar while volunteers who had worked for weeks to sustain the agitation were left to fend for themselves.

“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 in a comment. He claimed that once the CJP leadership left, Delhi Police entered the protest site, took away protesters’ belongings and those remaining at Jantar Mantar were forced to leave.

“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,” Meghnad said.

In his strongest criticism, he alleged that more than 70 protesters and students had been left without food in Delhi while leaders celebrated.

“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,” he wrote.

Help offered to stranded protesters

Hours after posting the criticism, Meghnad shared details on social media to help stranded protesters return home. He said those needing Tatkal train tickets could contact two Instagram handles through direct messages before 10 am to access an arrangement that had been made for bookings. He also directed protesters requiring 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 said.

Questions over Junaid’s treatment

The criticism has not been limited to Meghnad. The party has also faced questions over its alleged treatment of Junaid, who arranged food for protesters at Jantar Mantar for more than a month. Critics questioned why he was allegedly left detained while CJP leaders celebrated elsewhere.

Junaid also told the Live Hindustan YouTube channel that CJP leaders did not even shake hands with him before leaving after the protests ended. His remarks prompted several social media users to question the leadership’s conduct towards those who had supported the month-long agitation.

CJP rejects allegations

Responding to the criticism, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the gathering shown in the videos was organised to thank volunteers rather than celebrate.

“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,” Das told to a news channel.

He said the volunteers were honoured before the dancing took place.

“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 said.

Das also rejected suggestions that leaders had ignored the situation outside the venue.

“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 added.

Fresh scrutiny after political victory

The CJP launched its campaign last month over the NEET-UG paper leak with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as its central demand.

The movement began with memes and social media posts before expanding into sit-ins at Jantar Mantar. Activist Sonam Wangchuk went on a hunger strike, while a march towards Parliament was met with a crackdown. Protests later spread across the country before Pradhan resigned.

While the party achieved its stated objective, the focus has now shifted to allegations of misconduct and insensitivity by its leadership. The controversy has also raised questions over accountability and conduct, including from one of the movement’s own backers.