GUWAHATI: A satirical political outfit calling itself the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) has emerged online after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s remark comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” triggered outrage and debate on social media.
Describing itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth”, the group has rapidly gained traction online with its slogan- “Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy.” Within just two days of its launch, the satirical platform claimed to have enrolled over 40,000 members through an online registration drive.
The movement began on May 16 when 30-year-old political communication strategist Abhijeet Dipke shared a Google form on X inviting people to join the “Cockroach Janta Party”. The initiative quickly went viral amid criticism and memes surrounding the Chief Justice’s oral observations during a hearing.
Although Chief Justice Kant later clarified that his remarks were directed at individuals allegedly using fake degrees to enter professions such as law and media, and not unemployed youth in general, the statement had already sparked widespread backlash online.
Dipke, who reportedly studied public relations at Boston University and previously volunteered with the social media team of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) between 2020 and 2023, said the response transformed what began as an internet joke into a broader expression of public frustration.
The group has also drawn attention after Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad publicly expressed interest in joining the satirical outfit.
Despite its meme-driven identity, the Cockroach Janta Party has floated a set of political demands and policy proposals, including complete judicial independence without post-retirement political appointments for Chief Justices, stronger accountability in voter deletion processes, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and the Union Cabinet, and stricter anti-defection laws.
While it remains unclear whether the Cockroach Janta Party will seek formal political registration or continue as an online protest movement, the platform has become a talking point around unemployment, youth dissatisfaction, and political disillusionment in India.