Who is Osman Faizan Ali from the USA, hailed by 'cockroaches' at the Jantar Mantar protest?
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As Delhi’s Jantar Mantar became the focal point of fresh protests over the NEET controversy on June 20, 2026, questions emerged about the role of foreign social media influencers in shaping and amplifying the agitation. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), was presented as a youth-led movement targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the government over alleged NEET-related grievances. However, observations from the protest site suggested that the campaign was receiving significant support and amplification from individuals based abroad.
_202606221442573683_H@@IGHT_400_W@@IDTH_700.jpg "CJP")
When several protesters were asked about Ali, many admitted they did not know who he was. Some stated that the placards had simply been handed to them by organisers, suggesting that participants were often unaware of the individuals being promoted through the campaign.
On June 1, 2026, Ali posted a video directed at the Delhi Police, warning authorities to prepare for what he described as a massive gathering of CJP supporters at Jantar Mantar. Referring to an incoming “tsunami” of people, he suggested that any attempt to contain the movement would be ineffective. Such rhetoric can contribute to a confrontational atmosphere by framing protests as a direct challenge to state institutions rather than encouraging peaceful democratic participation.
Ali has continued posting content related to the movement, including appeals urging authorities to allow demonstrations to proceed. Critics contend that while such appeals stop short of openly endorsing unrest, they often imply that restricting protests could trigger instability, thereby increasing tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement.
A review of Ali’s broader online presence indicates that his activism has consistently focused on political mobilisation, opposition narratives, and encouraging followers to view political disputes through the framework of resistance and confrontation. His YouTube channel, “Button Ballot Movement by Osman Faizan Ali,” further reflects his long-standing interest in influencing Indian political discourse despite residing outside the country. Although the channel is largely inactive today, archived content suggests that he has been engaged in political commentary and advocacy for several years.
The recording suggests that Ali’s activism extends beyond student issues or social causes and into active participation in India’s political discourse. It also indicates a broader pattern of attempting to influence political narratives and electoral outcomes from outside the country. His current support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) appears to fit within this larger trend. Rather than reflecting a long-standing ideological commitment to the movement, critics argue that it resembles an effort to align with a rapidly growing online phenomenon that has gained traction among sections of India’s youth. His political positioning appears to have evolved alongside changing political and social circumstances.
The visibility of Osman Faizan Ali’s image throughout the Jantar Mantar protest serves as more than a symbolic detail. It reflects the growing ability of overseas-based digital activists to insert themselves into domestic political movements, influence public sentiment, and shape protest narratives through online platforms. The episode underscores how, in the era of social media, political mobilisation is increasingly being shaped not only by those on the streets but also by individuals operating far beyond the country's borders.
Separatist war cries, Azadi slogans raised in last Jantar Mantar protest
In the Delhi protest that happened at Jantar Mantar on June 6, the separatist war cry 'Azadi' was raised by the 'student protesters'. The "Azadi" cry has a clear documented genealogy, from Pakistan-backed separatism in 1989-90, amplified by Benazir Bhutto during the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, institutionalised as a separatist war cry in the Valley, and then transplanted into Indian university campuses, first at JNU in 2016, then more widely during anti-CAA protests in 2019-20.
ALSO READ: India welcomes dissent and criticism, not defiance of the Constitution; how CJP is promoting anarchy to overthrow democracy
The CJP has long been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging mismanagement in the education sector. However, the protest in Delhi failed miserably, with the protesters unaware of why they had gathered or whom they were protesting against. Several of the alleged 'paid' participants didn't know why they had gathered, what the purpose of the protest was, and whom the protest was against. A detailed report regarding the same can be read here.
ALSO READ: How 'Cockroach Party' founder Abhijeet Dipke 'supported separatists', spread fear in Kashmir during abrogation of Article 370
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) mass movement began grabbing media attention mid-May over an alleged statement by CJI Surya Kant. Though Kant later issued a clarification saying that his statement regarding cockroaches was misinterpreted, the party founder, Abhijeet Dipke, closely associated with the AAP, escalated the issue and instigated the youngsters to raise their voice against the current government.
ALSO READ: 'Azadi' slogans at CJP protest; Read how 'Azadi' is a separatist war cry and was first issued by Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto
He also claimed that the youth power was enough to get the government on its knees. Notably, it was reported earlier that Dipke had supported separatists in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370. It was also reported that the leftist mass movement attracted more than 49% of Pakistani supporters.
India’s democratic framework allows citizens to form associations, movements, and political organisations, as long as they function within the constitutional boundaries of the Republic. The so-called Cockroach Janata Party may present itself as a people’s movement or an anti-establishment campaign, but several aspects of its rhetoric and conduct raise serious constitutional and ethical concerns. Even if the group eventually seeks formal political recognition, its ideology and methods would struggle to align with the spirit and values of the Indian Constitution.
OpIndia exclusively uncovered the event to learn that a US-based social media activist, Osman Faizan Ali, has a huge role to play in this. This is after protesters across Jantar Mantar on June 20 were seen carrying professionally designed placards featuring public personalities such as Dhruv Rathee, Abhijit Dipke, and Rakhi Sawant. Several of these posters also prominently displayed the image of Osman Faizan Ali, identified as “Indian Osman Faizan Ali, From USA.”
When several protesters were asked about Ali, many admitted they did not know who he was. Some stated that the placards had simply been handed to them by organisers, suggesting that participants were often unaware of the individuals being promoted through the campaign.
Notably, Ali’s social media activity, particularly through his Instagram account @bbm_india_, has focused heavily on the CJP protests. His content frequently employs emotionally charged language and portrays the movement as a larger struggle between disillusioned youth and the Indian establishment.
Who is Osman Ali, the man sitting in the US and provoking Indian youth toward unrest?
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) June 20, 2026
A protester reached Jantar Mantar carrying posters of Dhruv Rathee and Osman Faizan Ali.
Is the internet being weaponized to turn India's youth into a disruptive mob? @ashu_nauty reports from… pic.twitter.com/RBejg8WnpN
On June 1, 2026, Ali posted a video directed at the Delhi Police, warning authorities to prepare for what he described as a massive gathering of CJP supporters at Jantar Mantar. Referring to an incoming “tsunami” of people, he suggested that any attempt to contain the movement would be ineffective. Such rhetoric can contribute to a confrontational atmosphere by framing protests as a direct challenge to state institutions rather than encouraging peaceful democratic participation.
The fact that these messages originate from outside India has also attracted criticism, says OpIndia. While protesters on the ground face potential legal and administrative consequences, the individuals encouraging mobilisation from abroad remain insulated from those risks.
Ali has continued posting content related to the movement, including appeals urging authorities to allow demonstrations to proceed. Critics contend that while such appeals stop short of openly endorsing unrest, they often imply that restricting protests could trigger instability, thereby increasing tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement.
A review of Ali’s broader online presence indicates that his activism has consistently focused on political mobilisation, opposition narratives, and encouraging followers to view political disputes through the framework of resistance and confrontation. His YouTube channel, “Button Ballot Movement by Osman Faizan Ali,” further reflects his long-standing interest in influencing Indian political discourse despite residing outside the country. Although the channel is largely inactive today, archived content suggests that he has been engaged in political commentary and advocacy for several years.
An audio recording uploaded on May 13, 2024, provides further insight into Osman Faizan Ali’s political engagement. In the recording, he made a direct appeal to voters in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, urging them to vote strategically for AIMIM and Congress candidates with the explicit aim of defeating the BJP. The appeal was framed less around policy preferences and more around coordinated electoral action against a political rival.
The recording suggests that Ali’s activism extends beyond student issues or social causes and into active participation in India’s political discourse. It also indicates a broader pattern of attempting to influence political narratives and electoral outcomes from outside the country. His current support for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) appears to fit within this larger trend. Rather than reflecting a long-standing ideological commitment to the movement, critics argue that it resembles an effort to align with a rapidly growing online phenomenon that has gained traction among sections of India’s youth. His political positioning appears to have evolved alongside changing political and social circumstances.
The visibility of Osman Faizan Ali’s image throughout the Jantar Mantar protest serves as more than a symbolic detail. It reflects the growing ability of overseas-based digital activists to insert themselves into domestic political movements, influence public sentiment, and shape protest narratives through online platforms. The episode underscores how, in the era of social media, political mobilisation is increasingly being shaped not only by those on the streets but also by individuals operating far beyond the country's borders.
Separatist war cries, Azadi slogans raised in last Jantar Mantar protest
In the Delhi protest that happened at Jantar Mantar on June 6, the separatist war cry 'Azadi' was raised by the 'student protesters'. The "Azadi" cry has a clear documented genealogy, from Pakistan-backed separatism in 1989-90, amplified by Benazir Bhutto during the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits, institutionalised as a separatist war cry in the Valley, and then transplanted into Indian university campuses, first at JNU in 2016, then more widely during anti-CAA protests in 2019-20.
ALSO READ: India welcomes dissent and criticism, not defiance of the Constitution; how CJP is promoting anarchy to overthrow democracy
The CJP has long been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging mismanagement in the education sector. However, the protest in Delhi failed miserably, with the protesters unaware of why they had gathered or whom they were protesting against. Several of the alleged 'paid' participants didn't know why they had gathered, what the purpose of the protest was, and whom the protest was against. A detailed report regarding the same can be read here.
ALSO READ: How 'Cockroach Party' founder Abhijeet Dipke 'supported separatists', spread fear in Kashmir during abrogation of Article 370
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) mass movement began grabbing media attention mid-May over an alleged statement by CJI Surya Kant. Though Kant later issued a clarification saying that his statement regarding cockroaches was misinterpreted, the party founder, Abhijeet Dipke, closely associated with the AAP, escalated the issue and instigated the youngsters to raise their voice against the current government.
ALSO READ: 'Azadi' slogans at CJP protest; Read how 'Azadi' is a separatist war cry and was first issued by Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto
He also claimed that the youth power was enough to get the government on its knees. Notably, it was reported earlier that Dipke had supported separatists in Jammu and Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370. It was also reported that the leftist mass movement attracted more than 49% of Pakistani supporters.
India’s democratic framework allows citizens to form associations, movements, and political organisations, as long as they function within the constitutional boundaries of the Republic. The so-called Cockroach Janata Party may present itself as a people’s movement or an anti-establishment campaign, but several aspects of its rhetoric and conduct raise serious constitutional and ethical concerns. Even if the group eventually seeks formal political recognition, its ideology and methods would struggle to align with the spirit and values of the Indian Constitution.