Even the ruling party could not have imagined that the social media trend that was sparked by using the Chief Justice of India’s comments as a tool would turn into a full-fledged ‘political storm’ so quickly.
The account of the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’, which has overtaken the BJP on social media with the support of a succession of heavyweight leaders from the opposition camp, today faced its first major attack in India. The group’s former (Twitter) accounts have been blocked in India citing legal claims.
In an exclusive interview from the US, party founder Abhijit Deepak took direct aim at the Modi government by expressing fear of arrest.
Abhijit Deepak, a 30-year-old political communication strategist who recently graduated from Boston University with a degree in public relations, is currently based in the United States. “Finally we know our true identity in this country where common people are seen as cockroaches or cockroaches. I feel like as soon as I step into Delhi’s IGI airport, a big convoy of Delhi Police will come and take me straight to Tihar Jail,” he told The Red Mic.
Asked about overtaking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in terms of followers on Instagram, the journalism alumnus from Pune said he was not happy about it at all. Because despite the increase in followers on social media, the real burning issues of the country remain the same.
The parody page was born a few days ago based on the remarks made by the Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kanter during the hearing. Ordinary people expressed their anger on the net as the environment of comparison or ‘pigeon’ opposition was created. Abhijit Deepak hastily announced a satirical party called the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ or CJP.
Within moments the symbolic protest spread like wildfire. Not just the common people of the country, many top opposition leaders from Trinamool Congress’s Mahua Maitra to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have taken to social media to say – ‘I am a cockroach’ now there are ‘BJP vs CJP’ wall graffiti and posters all over the country. Many famous comedians, influencers and celebrities have joined the trend.
From Thursday morning, when you open the official X handle of ‘Telapoka Janata Party’ in India, the screen shows – ‘Account withheld in India’ The X (Twitter) authorities apparently took this step after receiving legal instructions from the government. Sharing a screenshot, Abhijeet wrote, “As expected. Cockroach Janata Party India account locked.
It remains to be seen how much this mega fight in the digital world and the fear of sending the founder to Tihar will heat up Indian mainstream politics in the days to come.
