Who Are Saurav Das And Ashutosh Ranka? The CJP Faces Leading Talks With The Centre

Last Updated:July 23, 2026, 12:02 IST

Saurav Das, an independent journalist and Ashutosh Ranka, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, are leading talks with Union Minister JP Nadda.

As the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student movement enters a crucial phase, two names have increasingly emerged as the public faces of negotiations with the Centre – Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

While CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke remains the movement’s principal leader and strategist, it is Das and Ranka who have represented the group in meetings with Union Minister JP Nadda, over the demands arising from the nationwide protests against the NEET paper leak and examination irregularities.

Saurav Das: Chief Spokesperson And Public Negotiator

Saurav Das serves as the Chief Spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party. An investigative journalist by profession, Das was introduced by the organisation in June as its principal public communicator ahead of the first nationwide protests. The CJP described him as someone who has extensively reported on legal, judicial and social issues and who had also participated in previous civic movements, including anti-pollution campaigns.

Das pursued higher education at Amity University in Noida, completing a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from 2016 to 2019.

Since the protests intensified, Das has become one of the movement’s most recognisable voices, handling media briefings, explaining the CJP’s demands and representing the organisation during discussions with the government.

He was among the two CJP representatives who attended talks with Union Minister JP Nadda.

Ashutosh Ranka: Policy Mind Behind The Protest

Alongside Das is Ashutosh Ranka, another official spokesperson of the CJP who has emerged as one of the movement’s key policy voices.

An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and the London School of Economics, Ranka previously worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company in London before joining the CJP’s communications team. When the party announced its spokesperson panel in June, it highlighted his academic and professional background as an asset in shaping policy arguments around education reforms.

During the ongoing agitation, Ranka has represented the CJP in discussions with the Centre alongside Das.

Although Das and Ranka have become the government’s primary interlocutors, Dipke continues to lead the CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The Boston University student founded the Cockroach Janta Party after remarks comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches" went viral.

What Happened To Vijeta Dahiya?

Until this week, Vijeta Dahiya was one of the CJP’s three official spokespersons alongside Das and Ranka.

A writer, filmmaker and former researcher associated with digital content platforms, Dahiya had been projected by the organisation as one of its public representatives during the early phase of the movement.

However, he was removed from the spokesperson’s role after a video showing him eating a burger during the police crackdown on protesters near Parliament went viral on social media. The CJP termed his conduct insensitive and inconsistent with the movement’s values, announcing his removal from the post. Dahiya later defended himself, saying the criticism was politically motivated and that he accepted the party’s decision if it helped the larger cause.

About the Author

Pragati Ratti

Pragati is a News Editor at news18.com. Having headed the Business and Viral sections, Pragati now ideates, writes and edits long-form features and articles on national and global affairs. She ensures...Read More

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