Abhijeet Dipke’s Unique Protest Call at Jantar Mantar: “Bring Diapers to Avoid Leaks”

"Carry diapers to prevent leaks." It isn't the kind of sentence most people expect to hear at a political protest. Yet that was the message given by Abhijeet Dipke , founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), during a recent demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The protest was about problems with leaks of examination papers and accountability in the education system. But it drew public attention not through an incendiary speech or mass participation but through a diaper. Protesters were told to bring diapers and write their demands on them for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and that they will make sure the message reaches him. Dipke said today, through a social media post.

Why Diapers?

Dipke claims that the diaper was meant to represent the problem of "leaks" that have frequently headlined news stories in recent years, especially in connection with exams and recruitment tests. In India, there have been numerous controversies over question paper leaks, and students have frequently suffered as a result. Exams have been cancelled, investigations launched, and thousands of candidates left in limbo over their futures. A single breach can cast a cloud over months of preparation for many young people. In this context, Dipke’s plea to “bring diapers so that there are no leaks” was a satirical indictment of the systems that protesters believe have failed to prevent such incidents. The campaign used a simple visual metaphor that people could grasp instantly, rather than lengthy speeches or technical arguments.

A Protest to Draw Attention

Jantar Mantar has long been one of India’s most recognizable protest sites. It holds demonstrations every year on issues like unemployment, education, environmental concerns, and social justice. Standing out in that crowded space is not easy.
Using unusual symbolism can be a great way to get media coverage and public attention for organizers on an issue. That is what the diaper campaign did. The idea has won plaudits from supporters, who say that in today’s breakneck news cycle traditional protests often don’t get the attention they deserve.