CBSE Whistleblower Advises CJP Founder on Internet Activism

The Hindustan Times has published an exclusive report detailing a message from Sarthak Sidhant, the 17-year-old Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) whistleblower, to Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the viral satirical movement, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The report highlights Sidhant's perspective on internet activism, suggesting that while online engagement is valuable, there might be further considerations for sustained impact. Sarthak Sidhant, hailing from Ranchi, Jharkhand, gained national attention for meticulously uncovering alleged irregularities in the CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for Class 12 board examinations. His investigation revealed discrepancies in the tendering process for vendor selection, claiming that criteria were altered to favour a particular service provider. Sidhant's findings, shared through social media posts and a detailed blog, led to significant repercussions. The government swiftly responded by transferring two top CBSE officials, including the chairman Rahul Singh, and ordering a high-powered inquiry into the procurement of marking services. Furthermore, Sidhant was summoned to depose before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, where he presented his detailed observations on the alleged flaws. This intervention by a young student has brought crucial scrutiny to the CBSE's evaluation processes and the broader issue of transparency in public institutions. On the other hand, Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old public relations professional and political strategist, founded the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in May 2026. The movement emerged as a satirical response to controversial remarks made by the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, who reportedly referred to unemployed youth and online activists as 'cockroaches' and 'parasites.' The CJP quickly garnered massive online traction, amassing millions of followers across social media platforms within days, even surpassing the following of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Instagram. The CJP describes itself as a 'political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth: Secular, Socialist, Democratic, and Lazy,' focusing on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and education-related concerns. Dipke, who recently completed his Master's in Public Relations from Boston University, announced his decision to return to India, rejecting multiple job offers in the US, to lead a peaceful protest. He is scheduled to arrive in India on June 6, 2026, to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This protest aims to highlight various examination-related irregularities, including alleged paper leaks affecting national competitive exams like NEET, CBSE, and CUET. Dipke has also reported receiving death threats and experiencing hacking attempts on CJP's social media accounts, with its X (formerly Twitter) account being temporarily withheld in India. Sarthak Sidhant's exclusive message to Abhijeet Dipke, as reported by Hindustan Times, implies a critical assessment of the role of online activism. While the full context of 'Internet activism fine, but…' is contained within the exclusive article, it suggests that Sidhant, having navigated the complexities of official channels to bring about change, might be offering advice on how to translate viral online movements into tangible, long-term impact. His experience highlights the importance of thorough investigation, evidence-based advocacy, and engaging with established democratic processes, even while leveraging the power of social media to raise awareness. This exchange underscores a growing trend in India where digitally native youth are actively participating in political and social discourse, demanding accountability from institutions and leaders. The confluence of these two young figures – one a meticulous whistleblower leveraging traditional and digital methods, the other a satirical online phenomenon mobilizing youth sentiment – represents a powerful, evolving dynamic in Indian activism. Their efforts collectively bring critical issues concerning the education system, governance, and youth empowerment to the forefront of national dialogue, compelling both the government and the public to acknowledge and address these concerns. The ongoing controversies surrounding the CBSE examinations and the widespread appeal of the CJP movement reflect a broader frustration among young Indians and their determination to seek systemic changes.

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