Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 23: Several students and citizens staged a protest at Azad Maidan in Panaji on Wednesday, a day after Goa BJP vice-president Narendra Sawaikar's social media post referring to "cockroaches" and "termites" sparked controversy.

The protest followed a candlelight solidarity march held in Panaji earlier this week in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Delhi over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

In a post on X on Monday night, Sawaikar wrote, "Cockroaches with the termites! Save the nation!" The remark drew criticism from Opposition parties, which termed the language "disgraceful" and "dehumanising" and demanded an apology. Sawaikar later clarified that there was "no reference to anyone" in the post.

Addressing the gathering, Maithily Chumbalkar, a 24-year-old postgraduate, criticised the government's response to the protests.

"I am a termite. And if I am, I would try to eat up the government's fortress of corrupt power. There is authoritarianism to such a level that leaders are calling the youth 'termites' and filing FIRs just for speaking up," she said.

She said students were frustrated over the alleged NEET paper leak and the demand for accountability was being ignored.

"The students are frustrated with NEET cancellation and paper leaks. People are demanding accountability, and the government is dismissing their voice by using these insults," she added.

Goa Police on Tuesday registered an FIR against "unknown supporters" of the CJP and other protesters for allegedly organising Monday's candlelight march without prior permission.

Questioning the police action, Chumbalkar said the gathering had been held in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike.

College student Muskan Shaikh, who attended both protests, said she was willing to accept the label if it led to greater accountability.

"I am fine with being labelled a 'termite' if it leads to some accountability from the government. The Education Minister needs to take responsibility," she said.

She admitted being apprehensive about participating in the protest due to the heavy police presence.

"I am 20. I had to convince my family before coming here. Seeing policemen carrying lathis made me nervous. But if students don't speak up now, who will?" she asked.

Another student, Namrata Nainan, who was present during the protests in Delhi earlier this week, said she had witnessed the alleged police lathi-charge on demonstrators.

"I am here to express solidarity with students who have been let down by the system. After what I saw in Delhi, I am quite nervous. They earlier referred to the youth as 'cockroaches', and now they are calling them 'termites'. It seems they have not learned from that," she said.

Student Anand Nainan described the remarks as authoritarian and said attempts to label protesters were aimed at delegitimising the movement.

"It is very authoritarian and dictatorial to label protesters and youth as 'termites'. It is also concerning to see such a large police presence with lathis at a peaceful protest," he said.