3 detained as Cockroach party protests against Pradhan in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur: Three members of the Cockroach Janata Party were detained in Gorakhpur on Saturday after police foiled an attempt to burn an effigy of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations and recruitment tests.

The protest was held at the Indira Bal Bihar premises under the Cantt police station limits, where a group of protesters gathered around 11 am carrying banners and placards and raised slogans against the minister. As they were about to set the minister’s effigy on fire, SHO Cantt Sanjay Singh and his team reached the spot. Police seized the effigy and dispersed the gathering, preventing the protest from escalating.

Three protesters — Rajat Chaudhary, Mohammad Afzal and Ankit Kumar — were taken into custody and brought to the police station, while several others left the venue during the police action.

Police officials said organising a public protest and attempting effigy burning without prior permission violated established regulations. They added that timely intervention was necessary to maintain law and order in the area.

Authorities said preventive action related to breach of peace has been initiated against the detained individuals, and further proceedings are underway.