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From Instagram to Jantar Mantar: How creators became citizen journalists during CJP protests

CJP protests ended after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, while several creators amplified the student movement through social media.

Published on: Jul 26, 2026, 12:14:07 IST
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The student agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi came to an end on Saturday evening following the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

As the CJP protest concluded, digital creators emerged as citizen journalists by sharing on-ground updates and protest coverage. (REUTERS)
As the CJP protest concluded, digital creators emerged as citizen journalists by sharing on-ground updates and protest coverage. (REUTERS)

(Also read: 'Kha lijiye sir': CJP protesters offer pizza to RAF personnel at Jantar Mantar, win praise)

The demonstrations continued at Jantar Mantar for more than a month and focused on alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly the NEET paper leak controversy. While students and activists raised their demands on the ground, several digital creators helped bring the protest to a wider audience through social media.

Some creators shared videos, interactions and regular updates from protest sites, effectively taking on the role of citizen journalists. Others joined the demonstrations in person and used their public presence to draw attention to the students’ concerns.

Creators who highlighted the protests

* Kavya Karnatac: The digital creator used her social media platform to highlight the CJP protest, bringing ground-level developments and the protesters’ concerns to a wider online audience.

* SheenaBlends: She shared information about the Mumbai protest, including details about the gathering and updates from the demonstration, through her Instagram account.

* Raunaq Rajani: The stand-up comedian attended the CJP solidarity protest in Mumbai and was detained by police. His participation brought further attention to demonstrations taking place outside Delhi.

* Nakul Dhull: The creator physically participated in the CJP’s Sansad march in Delhi.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigns

Pradhan resigned as education minister following days of sustained protests in the national capital. Announcing his decision, he said the developments of the previous 10 days had “saddened” him deeply and that the issue was “not a matter of personal prestige”.

His resignation was one of the principal demands raised by the CJP and the protesting students.

(Also read: Day after 'Chalo Sansad' march, CJP protesters clean Jantar Mantar protest site: 'You guys are real heroes')

CJP withdraws its protest

Following Pradhan’s resignation, the Abhijeet Dipke-led Cockroach Janta Party announced that it was withdrawing the agitation. The organisation also claimed that the government had accepted its other demands, including the withdrawal of FIRs against protesters and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak.

The agitation began at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on June 20. Activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and later began an indefinite hunger strike. He ended his fast late on July 23 following outreach from the Centre.

Although the protest has ended, the involvement of digital creators highlighted how social media can carry movements from public spaces to millions of screens.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mahipal Singh Chouhan

Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.

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