Vijeta Dahiya has broken his silence after the Cockroach Janta Party removed him as its spokesperson over a viral video from the day of the party’s Chalo Sansad protest in Delhi.

The video purportedly showed him at a burger outlet while CJP protesters were facing police action near Jantar Mantar. The clip triggered sharp criticism online, with many users questioning why a party spokesperson appeared to be away from the protest site during a police crackdown.

The party acted quickly. On July 21, 2026, it removed Dahiya from the spokesperson post and relieved him of all official duties, saying his conduct was “deeply insensitive” and inconsistent with the values of the movement.

What The Viral Video Showed

The controversy began after videos surfaced on social media during the Chalo Sansad protest. India Today reported that one video showed Dahiya at a popular burger outlet in a Delhi mall while the protest was underway. ET reported that the outlet was purportedly a Burger King, but also noted that the timing and circumstances of the video could not be independently verified.

That caveat matters. The video became political ammunition almost instantly, but the full timeline remains contested. Supporters of the movement said the optics were poor because students and party workers were allegedly facing lathi-charge and detentions at the same time.

Dahiya, however, said he had taken part in the march and left only after it ended. He also said he had not slept for two nights and had gone home to shower before stopping for food.

Why CJP Removed Him

CJP’s statement was blunt. The party said it “strongly condemns” Dahiya’s actions, adding that videos of him surfaced while peaceful protesters and the party’s team were facing “brutal police violence.” It called his conduct unacceptable and said it showed a “complete lack of judgment.”

The party then removed him as spokesperson with immediate effect and relieved him of official responsibilities.

The move shows how seriously the group is treating public perception. What began as a youth-led protest outfit has now become one of the loudest movements challenging the government over exam irregularities and paper leaks. At that stage, even a small internal controversy can damage credibility.

Dahiya’s Defence

Dahiya did not issue a straightforward apology. Instead, he pushed back against the criticism. In a video response reported by HT, he asked why eating a burger had become such a major issue and said people were ignoring how exhausted activists had been.

“What people don’t see is that I haven’t slept for two nights,” he said, according to India Today. He also argued that no one pays him to protest and that he was participating because he believed in the cause.

In an Instagram caption, he added that he eventually did not eat the burger because he felt it contained maida and trans fats, and decided to eat elsewhere. That clarification did not end the row. It instead kept attention on whether his response sounded defensive at a moment when the movement wanted discipline and solidarity.

A Bigger Test For The Movement

The burger row may look minor compared with the NEET paper leak, police clashes and hunger strikes linked to the wider agitation. But for a protest movement trying to become a serious political force, optics matter.

The action against Dahiya came as CJP continued its protest at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities and paper leaks. India Today reported that the party’s agitation intensified after police used force and detained several protesters during Monday’s march towards Parliament.

Indian Express reported that more than 118 police personnel and around 60 protesters were injured during the Chalo Sansad confrontation, according to Delhi Police. That backdrop made the viral video even more damaging for the party.