The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, from all official responsibilities after viral videos showed him away from the party’s “Chalo Sansad” protest during alleged police action against demonstrators in Delhi, followed by another clip of him eating a burger while responding to criticism online.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, the party said Dahiya’s actions reflected a “complete lack of judgment” and were inconsistent with the values of the movement. Dahiya, however, defended himself, saying he had participated in the protest, left only after it had concluded and stopped for food because he had been working continuously and was hungry.
The controversy has since shifted attention beyond the viral clips to the credentials that had earned him the spokesperson’s role just weeks earlier, with discussions unfolding across social media, YouTube and political circles about public accountability, optics and leadership during protest movements.
Party Cites Poor Judgment
The controversy began after videos circulated online claiming Dahiya was absent from the protest site while party workers were allegedly facing police action. A second video, showing him eating a burger while responding to criticism over his absence, quickly fuelled widespread backlash.
Critics questioned whether a senior representative of a protest movement should have left the venue at such a crucial moment, while supporters argued that the viral clips lacked the full context of events.
Responding to the criticism, Dahiya maintained that he had attended the march from the beginning and left only after it ended. He said he had stopped to eat because he had been working for the movement continuously and insisted that having a meal after the protest should not be interpreted as indifference towards the agitation.
Despite the clarification, CJP announced that it was relieving him of all official responsibilities. In its statement, the party described his conduct as “deeply insensitive” and said the videos demonstrated a “complete lack of judgment”, making his continuation as spokesperson untenable.
The decision marked one of the quickest exits of a senior public face within the party, coming less than two months after his appointment. The episode also highlighted the growing influence of social media in shaping political narratives, where a few widely shared clips can rapidly redefine public perception.
Research Over Political Experience
When CJP introduced Dahiya as its spokesperson on June 3, the party emphasised a profile very different from that of a conventional political spokesperson. Rather than highlighting years of organisational or electoral experience, it projected him as a researcher and strategist with expertise in political analysis, communication and digital outreach.
Dahiya is an alumnus of Delhi Technological University (DTU), one of India’s leading engineering institutions. CJP presented his engineering education as evidence of analytical thinking and structured problem-solving, pairing it with experience in political research and strategic analysis. The combination of technical education and political communication formed the central argument behind his appointment.
Media reports have also identified Dahiya as having contributed research and writing support to political YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. Although researchers often remain behind the scenes, such work involves gathering information, verifying facts and helping shape explanatory political content. This experience reportedly strengthened his reputation as someone capable of translating complex political issues into accessible public messaging, a skill increasingly valued by digital-first political organisations.
At the time of his appointment, the party’s decision appeared to reflect a broader trend in politics, where communication professionals, researchers and digital strategists are increasingly taking on public-facing roles traditionally occupied by career politicians.
Beyond Politics and Research
Dahiya’s professional background extends beyond research into writing and filmmaking, making his résumé unusually diverse for a political spokesperson.
According to media reports, he is the author of two books, Power of Universe and To Hell With That Job, both described as bestsellers. His work as an author positioned him as a communicator comfortable with long-form storytelling and public engagement beyond political discourse.
He has also worked as a writer and director in the Haryanvi film industry, with credits including Darare and Opri Parai. These projects reflected his involvement in regional cinema while complementing his work in digital political communication. Together, engineering, research, authorship and filmmaking presented a profile that blended analytical training with creative storytelling.
Until joining CJP, much of Dahiya’s work had remained behind the camera or behind the scenes. His appointment as spokesperson represented a significant transition from researcher to public representative, a role that demanded not only communication skills but also constant public visibility and accountability.
Ironically, the same credentials that were celebrated when he joined the party are now being revisited through the lens of the recent controversy. Rather than questioning his qualifications themselves, much of the public discussion has focused on whether professional expertise alone is sufficient for leadership roles that require symbolic presence during politically sensitive moments.
Online Debate Gains Momentum
The incident quickly expanded beyond party politics into a wider debate on social media. Discussions across X, Instagram, Reddit and YouTube centred on questions of political optics, leadership responsibility and the expectations placed on public representatives during protests.
Some commentators argued that the timing of the burger video undermined the movement’s messaging regardless of whether Dahiya had technically completed his responsibilities. Others defended him, suggesting that isolated video clips can present an incomplete picture and that individuals should not be judged solely on moments taken out of context.
The controversy also reignited conversations about how digital media increasingly influences political careers. Public figures today often find themselves evaluated not only on policy positions or organisational work but also on symbolic gestures, visual optics and viral moments that spread rapidly online. In Dahiya’s case, a profile built over years through research, writing and filmmaking came under intense scrutiny within days because of a controversy driven largely by social media circulation.
Political analysts have frequently noted that while digital platforms provide unprecedented visibility, they also create an environment where reputations can shift rapidly. The episode serves as another reminder that in contemporary politics, perception can become as influential as performance.
Credentials Under Fresh Scrutiny
The episode has also prompted closer examination of how political parties identify and promote new leadership. CJP’s decision to appoint Dahiya reflected confidence in academic achievement, research experience and digital communication skills rather than traditional political apprenticeship.
Such appointments represent a broader evolution in Indian politics, where parties increasingly rely on professionals with backgrounds in technology, media, policy research and communications to strengthen their public messaging. However, the responsibilities of being a spokesperson extend beyond subject expertise. They also require sensitivity to public sentiment, crisis management and symbolic leadership during moments of organisational challenge.
In Dahiya’s case, his engineering education, reported association with political research, authorship and filmmaking remain unchanged. What has changed is the public context in which those achievements are now viewed. The controversy demonstrates how reputations built over years can be reassessed almost instantly when actions are perceived to conflict with public expectations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Public life demands both competence and credibility. Professional achievements, academic qualifications and research experience undoubtedly matter, but they cannot entirely replace the trust built through conduct during moments of public scrutiny. At the same time, viral social media clips often capture only fragments of larger events, making it important to distinguish verified facts from assumptions before forming conclusions.
As political communication increasingly moves online, public figures and citizens alike share a responsibility to promote accountability without abandoning fairness or empathy. Institutions should ensure that leadership is judged through transparent processes, while audiences should remain mindful that context is essential in evaluating any controversy.
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