The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) took another jibe at Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday by means of a satirical video featuring American pop star Taylor Swift’s hit track, ‘Anti-hero.’ The video portrayed the minister as being responsible for a string of exam-related controversies which have taken place across the nation in recent months. 

Shared by the movement’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, the video montage synchronises visuals of Pradhan with the opening lyric, “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me,’ suggesting that the accountability of recurring issues affecting students and exams across the country lies solely with the Minister. 

Video features PM Modi too

As the song progresses to the line, “At tea time,” the video transitions to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, referencing his long-standing association with tea through his early life as a tea seller and the government’s Chai Pe Charcha outreach programme. 

The following lyric, “Everybody agrees,” is accompanied by shots of demonstrators protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Matar, while the video concludes with the caption, ‘Anti-Hero.’

Protests still underway at Jantar Mantar

For the unversed, the video comes amid an ongoing protest headed by CJP at Jantar Mantar, which began on June 20, 2026, where protestors have been demanding Minister Pradhan’s resignation over what they term ‘failures in India’s education system.’

The organisation has alleged a pattern of exam paper leaks, irregularities in exam answer sheets’ evaluation processes and inadequate accountability involving student suicides. 

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk is also present at the venue, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28. He has called for comprehensive education reforms alongside the demand for statehood for Ladakh. 

Several exam controversies cited by the CJP include the NEET UG 2026 paper leak, CBSE’s On-screen Marking (OSM) System and the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 paper leak, which led to the exam’s postponement. 

Political tensions flare over remarks and protests

The protests gained momentum and political attention after PM Modi wished Dharmendra Pradhan on his birthday on June 26, 2026. He lauded Pradhan for making ‘commendable efforts’ in the education sector.

Addressing protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 4, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra slammed the Union Government, saying that the future of more than 3 crore students and job aspirants was at stake while political leaders were busy with birthday celebrations. She remarked, “Celebrate birthdays if you want. But don’t write ‘Happy Birthday’ on a cake with the blood of our children.”

Earlier, Pradhan had called the protesting youth and the CJP “B-team of terrorists,” a remark that drew flak from Opposition leaders. Dipke responded to the remark, accusing the Minister of having ‘the blood of more than 17 students’ on his hands.