India, Oct. 17 -- The Cockroach Janta Party must resist the temptation to enter electoral politics and preserve its independence to hold governments accountable. Assam's student movement offers a cautionary lesson in what can be lost when a movement embraces power

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reached a moment that could decide its future. Emerging as a student-led force against the failures of India's examination system, particularly over the NEET controversy, the movement has achieved something few outside electoral politics ever do. It has put the government on the defensive and forced accountability at the highest level.

Its leaders have said they do not intend to enter electoral politics and will instead take up issues concer...