Following his removal from the post of spokesperson for the satirical Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Vijyeta Dahiya has spoken out against the public backlash, dismissing the controversy over a viral video as “propaganda” aimed at undermining his contributions to the movement.
The controversy erupted during a high-tension protest on Monday, where demonstrators—primarily young students—marched toward Parliament demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including NEET paper leaks and technical failures in the CBSE portal. As clashes broke out, resulting in at least 178 injuries, a video surfaced showing Dahiya eating a burger, triggering widespread criticism online.
In a statement addressing the incident, the CJP strongly condemned Dahiya’s actions, calling them “deeply insensitive” and showing a “complete lack of judgment” inconsistent with the values of the movement.
Speaking to NDTV, Dahiya defended his actions, framing the right to eat as a simple human necessity rather than an act of indifference.
“See, if someone is hungry, then they do eat. There is nothing wrong about eating, right? I am not the kind of person who would romanticise hunger,” Dahiya said. “If I had not eaten anything for a long time, and if I was hungry, and if I had a burger… I just find it [unreasonable] for someone to come after me for that.”
Addressing his removal from the party post, Dahiya maintained that he harbored no resentment if the decision served the broader objective of the protests. “If you give one sacrifice and if this strengthens the movement, then so be it. Vijayeta is not so important. The movement and the larger cause are important,” he stated, highlighting his long hours on the ground managing delegations and addressing media queries during the demonstrations.
Clashes and Leadership Dynamics
The protest on Monday saw significant escalation after police deployed tear gas and baton charges to stop marchers from reaching Parliament. According to Delhi Police, the injured included 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters.
Responding to criticism regarding a lack of leadership during the clash, Dahiya clarified that key leaders—including fellow spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka—were engaged in discussions with government representatives at the time. Union Minister JP Nadda later confirmed meeting with CJP representatives to receive a formal letter outlining their demands, describing the dialogue as cordial.
Despite his departure from the spokesperson role, Dahiya insisted that his track record of dedication to the student-led movement remains intact, urging supporters to keep their focus on the primary issue of exam reform.
