Singer-actor says he's an artist, not a politician, and wants no part in the ongoing Jantar Mantar demonstration

Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh recently found himself unexpectedly pulled into a political controversy — and his response has become the talking point rather than the protest itself.
During an Instagram Live session, when a fan asked him about the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar, Diljit Dosanjh gave a response making it clear that he wanted no involvement in the matter. He firmly asked to be left out of it, saying, "Keep me away from these protests and all. I am an artist. I am not a politician." This line has since become the most quoted and shared part of his response, capturing his clear intent to avoid any political entanglement.
CJP is a satirical-activist group founded by Abhijeet Dipke — a social media–born movement that turned political, driven largely by India's youth. It rapidly grew into one of the most visible expressions of youth anger over unemployment, exam leaks, and a political system that many young people feel talks about them more than it listens to them.
The group came into the spotlight after the Chief Justice of India, during a court hearing, compared unemployed youth holding fake law degrees to "cockroaches." Instead of taking offense, young people online reclaimed the insult — calling themselves cockroaches and declaring, "Cockroaches don't fear; they never die either" — and the label snowballed into an actual movement.
CJP's first physical protest was held on June 6, 2026, at Jantar Mantar. Hundreds of students and recent graduates wore cockroach masks and carried worn exam-prep books alongside national flags. Ladakh-based engineer and education reformer Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest after earlier warning he would do so if no action was taken.
On June 28, Dipke launched a nationwide "Pradhan Go Back" campaign, calling on students, parents, teachers, farmer unions, and civil society groups to join. Wangchuk announced an indefinite hunger strike as part of this push.
Diljit, meanwhile, was drawn into the controversy only by implication. He denied any awareness of the protest and drew a firm line between himself and political activism.