Rs 30 For Cockroach Masks, Rs 250 For T-Shirts: How CJP's First-Ever Delhi Protest Turned Into An Unexpected Business Hub

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), the satirical movement, has rapidly gained significant traction across social media platforms in recent months and held its first offline protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday.

The demonstration, organised around concerns regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET examination process, drew students, parents, supporters, and activists demanding accountability and reforms in the education system.

Among the key demands raised during the gathering was the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protest also saw the participation of education reform advocate and activist Sonam Wangchuk, whose presence added visibility to the event.

However, while the protest itself focused on education-related

issues, a different aspect of the gathering soon began attracting widespread attention online. Social media users quickly noticed that several individuals at the venue were selling merchandise linked to the movement, including cockroach-themed masks, flags and printed T-shirts.

Videos from the protest showed vendors and supporters offering these items to attendees, effectively creating a small marketplace alongside the demonstration. According to clips that circulated widely online, cockroach masks were reportedly being sold for Rs 30, while T-shirts carrying CJP branding were available for around Rs 250.

The unexpected commercial activity sparked a flurry of reactions across social media, with many users debating whether the merchandise sales reflected entrepreneurial spirit or distracted from the protest’s core message.

One particularly viral post featured a conversation between a reporter and a supporter selling masks. The caption read: “Reporter: what is cost of printing this mask?
CJP Supporter: ₹15
Reporter: Are you distributing it for free?
CJP Supporter: No, I’m selling it for Rs 30.
Most people have only come to make money 😂”

The exchange quickly became a talking point, generating thousands of views and comments. While some users mocked the apparent profit-making opportunity, others defended the sellers, arguing that merchandise sales are common at public movements and protests.

Reacting to the viral clip, one user commented, “Most people? or only one? Though the CJP itself here to make money eventually,”

Another user focused on the economics behind the sale, writing, “50% profit margin and a 100% markup. And he said ‘Minimum cost’. waah bhai paisa to isne hi kamaya hai,”

Others came to the defence of the supporter featured in the video. One comment read, “If he said no i am giving it for free then RW will start RR of foreign funding….😂😂😂”

Another user linked the incident to broader economic concerns, saying, “And they think this jobless poor youths will bring revolution? Modi has already done enough to keep them crawling in the poverty so that in every opportunity they will just find ways to make money to feed their belly . 😂”

Reporter: what is cost of printing this mask?

CJP Supporter: ₹15

Reporter: Are you distributing it for free?

CJP Supporter: No, I’m selling it for Rs 30.

Most people have only come to make money 😂 pic.twitter.com/KiKI9TonD8

— Ankur Singh (@AnkurSingh) June 6, 2026

A similar sentiment was echoed by another commenter who wrote, “When he said,I am distributing it,you’re gonna make the propaganda that who is funding this movement.”

Meanwhile, the protest was conducted under heavy security arrangements. According to reports, Delhi Police detained six individuals as a precautionary measure after receiving intelligence inputs about potential tensions between supporters and critics of the movement.

Authorities stated that the action was taken to prevent any confrontation and ensure the event concluded peacefully. Although the protest was intended to highlight concerns surrounding the NEET examination process, it was the sight of cockroach masks, flags and T-shirts being sold on the sidelines that ended up dominating online conversations.