New Delhi, July 23, 2026 – As the youth-driven CJP (Cockroach Janta Party) protests enter their 7th week at Jantar Mantar over paper leaks and education system issues, a feel-good story is unfolding. While thousands of GenZ supporters and common citizens are being glued to their TVs, a group of hungry and angry protesters have received a stream of food parcels as a mark of public support.
The CJP movement, initially a mockery run by young activists, has turned into a full-blown campaign after weeks of paper leaks, NEET medical test malfunctions, and education system failures. Protesters demand an immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a committee formed by Supreme Court/High Court judges and educationists to probe the issues, perceiving the Union government’s actions as evasive.
The row escalated on July 20-21 after protesters staged a ‘Sansad Chalo’ (let’s go to Parliament) protest, which coincided with the start of the monsoon Parliament session. Police had to lathi-charge the protesting students, who reached the Parliament complex on foot, despite the unfriendly weather, resulting in injuries on both sides.
Even as the police enforced a strict cordon around the Jantar Mantar complex to stop further protests, the student activists continued their sit-in, joined by celebrities such as climate-change activist Sonam Wangchuk, who staged a hunger strike (and is currently in the hospital). Moreover, several opposition leaders have joined the protesters.
Meanwhile, food delivery chains have gotten busy preparing meals for the Jantar Mantar protesters. Deliverymen can be seen in photos carrying pizza, sandwich, burger, wrap, and cold-drink orders that came pouring in after days of the standoff.
GenZ has played a significant role in the food and protest culture currently abuzz in the capital. Moreover, many young social media influencers are seen coordinating the food chain and encouraging others to do the same. The internet is full of videos and photos of delivery riders arriving at the Jantar Mantar complex with platterfuls of hot pizzas and sandwiches.
Many social media users are posting news about food delivery chains having received orders from abroad. It is said that food deliverymen are reaching out to the protest site with takeaway orders from New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, and other international destinations. Moreover, messages tied to the food parcels are said to be a mark of solidarity with the protesting students. One such message read, “After days of protests, lathi charges, and confusion, a warm pizza or a good sandwich is indeed a sign of the nation’s solidarity with you.”
While the government continues to deal with the CJP demands and thousands of police personnel are on high alert in the capital, it is heartening to see the public at large coming out in support of the protesting students, who have stood firm despite the unfriendly weather.
It is always a delight to witness humanitarianism breaking through in the thin veneer of politics. Although the CJP protesters are yet to get their demands addressed, the food deliveries have been a reminder that the nation stands by their protests. From the pizzas being distributed among the protesters to the sandwiches being handed out during speeches, everything is a mark of solidarity.
While the CJP protesters continue their sit-in at Jantar Mantar, food delivery chains are ready to step in and provide takeaway meals whenever required.