A political online movement named ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ emerged from a comment about cockroaches

Staff Report: PNN

An unconventional and satirical initiative that began on social media following a comment by a judge of the Supreme Court of India has now become a major topic of discussion. The online platform named “Cockroach Janata Party” is reportedly attracting the attention of millions of young people within a very short time.

The initiative was started by a 30-year-old young man named Abhijit Deepak, who recently completed his studies in Public Relations from Boston University in the United States. The satirical political movement originated from a humorous social media post.

The incident began last Friday when Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court of India, during a hearing, compared some unemployed youths and so-called “activists” to cockroaches. He stated that certain individuals were unnecessarily attacking social and state structures.

Following this remark, widespread reactions emerged on social media. A section of young people described the comment as insulting. Later, amid criticism, Justice Surya Kant clarified that he did not refer to all young people in the country, but rather to certain individuals with fake degrees.

However, by that time, anger had already spread across various online platforms. In this context, Abhijit posted on the social media platform X: “What if all cockroaches unite?”—and from this statement, the “Cockroach Janata Party” was born.

Subsequently, a website along with Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts were created under the name of the group. The name was created satirically, resembling India’s ruling political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Within just a few days, the number of followers of the group on Instagram reportedly reached several million. Millions of people also registered membership through online forms. Among the members are politicians, former bureaucrats, and young professionals.

In its declared identity, the group describes itself as an “association of idle and unemployed cockroaches.” Its main slogan is: “By the youth, for the youth, a secular, socialist, democratic and idle political platform.”

The manifesto of the group includes satirical statements on unemployment, inflation, political influence, corporate media, and the neutrality of the judiciary.

In India, youth dissatisfaction regarding unemployment, rising living costs, and political frustration has long been present. According to analysts, the “Cockroach Janata Party” has emerged as a symbolic representation of that anger and frustration.

Human rights activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan stated that controversial remarks about young people have brought forward the accumulated anger within society. According to him, although satirical, this initiative reflects a real social crisis.

Abhijit Deepak stated that although it initially began as a joke, it has now turned into a major social reaction. In his words, “People have remained silent for a long time. Now they are starting to ask questions and demand accountability.”