Massive Youth-Led Protests Spur National Push for Education Reform in India

The CJP, originally conceived as a joke, quickly attracted disaffected Indian youth amid soaring unemployment.

Despite its name, the group is not a political party; it is led by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30‑year‑old communications strategist who once studied at Boston University.

Dipke told the BBC the initiative began as a humorous proposal. “I thought we should all come together, maybe just start a platform,” he said.

When a Google Form was opened for people to join, the response was overwhelming, drawing tens of thousands of sign‑ups.

The momentum turned the CJP into a serious protest movement. On 9 July it announced a march on parliament for 20 July, drawing tens of thousands to Delhi and candle‑lit vigils in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa.

The protest took on added significance because of the treatment of Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent engineer and activist.

Wangchuk began a hunger strike on 28 June at Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s historic observatory and frequent protest site, in solidarity with the CJP.

On Saturday, the 59‑year‑old was forcibly taken to hospital, sparking outrage among CJP supporters and further amplifying the movement. He remains on hunger strike while hospitalized.

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