What began as an impulsive satirical experiment has rapidly evolved into one of India’s most talked-about anti-establishment political phenomena. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Boston-based political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke, has created an overnight sensation — and the government is watching closely, thanks to various Gen-Z uprisings in South Asia in recent years.
The trigger was a remark by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who, while hearing a contempt petition earlier in May, said, “…there are already parasites who attack the system, and you want to join them. There are youngsters like cockroaches who do not get any employment…some of them become media, some become social media, some RTI activists and they start attacking everyone.”
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Though the CJI later clarified he had no intention of insulting the youth, the damage — or rather, the spark — had already been lit.
‘Never anticipated this response’
“The moment the CJI made the remark, the idea came up. We never anticipated this kind of response. It has been overwhelming,” Dipke told The Federalone of the first news outlets to interview him.
The choice of the cockroach — an insect legendary for surviving the harshest conditions — struck a nerve with young Indians already seething over unemployment, a rising cost of living, and scams such as government exam paper leaks that derailed job recruitment drives, among countless other issues.
A dark humour turned into a protest in a flash. Memes and short videos mocking corruption, joblessness and political inertia spread rapidly. Millions flocked to the CJP’s social media handles as an outlet for frustration.
By May 21, the CJP’s Instagram page had amassed over 18 million followers, surpassing even 8.8 million of the Bharatiya Janata Party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the world’s most followed leader. Many netizens alleged that the majority of followers of the CJP were from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Dipke countered that 94 per cent of the platform’s followers originate from India.
There are also people who claim that the CJP is connected to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a party which also emerged out of a sensational protest against corruption in the early 2010s. The fact that Dipke was associated with Arvind Kejriwal’s party once made the claims stronger.
Govt wary of Gen-Z getting upset?
The establishment has taken note — and not just as a curiosity. With fresh memories of Gen Z-led upheavals in neighbouring countries — Sri Lanka in 2022, Bangladesh in 2024, and Nepal in 2025, the government is taking such trends seriously.
Also read: Cockroach Janta Party linked to AAP? Founder Abhijeet Dipke’s past ties raise questions
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has put in place a daily monitoring system, with designated Press Information Bureau officials tasked with tracking the CJP’s social media activities, documenting content trends, engagement metrics, and amplification networks. An audience audit report is also being prepared to assess the movement’s ground reach, messaging patterns and digital footprint, according to sources.
‘Cockroaches’ not easy to stop
The CJP’s X account (@CJP_2029) was withheld following a reported legal demand after its popularity surged. Within hours, a new account called ‘Cockroach is Back’ emerged with an equally rapid rise in followers — its profile declaring simply: “Cockroaches don’t die!”
Veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai captured the futility of blocking the accounts on X: “Cockroaches have outlived empires, pandemics and probably a few IT cells too. Block one, ten more emerge from the dark corners. MIND IT!”
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor argued that suppressing the movement was counterproductive. “This is precisely why the account being withheld on X is disastrous and deeply unwise – there should be an outlet for the youth to express their feelings, and so, let CJP’s account function instead of shutting it down! Democracies need outlets for dissent, humour, satire and even frustration,” he said.
Opposition not safe either, says commentator
Notwithstanding Tharoor’s words and Opposition MP Kirti Azad and Mahua Moitra welcoming the CJP, political commentator Rasheed Kidwai, meanwhile, warned that it is not just the ruling party but the opposition too that should be worried, noting that the CJP “is not merely mocking those in power, it is exposing those who wish to replace them”.
Dipke’s own words indicate that the CJP is more anti-system than being anti-party.
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“It is dark humour based on the current political situation in India and the condition of institutions. If you look at the judiciary, there are serious questions being raised about its credibility and neutrality. We repeatedly see retired judges receiving government posts after retirement. Naturally, people begin to question whether there is a quid pro quo arrangement,” he told The Federal.
Even the media’s role is not above suspicion.
“When people talk about ‘Godi media’ or channels owned by large corporate houses, India’s press freedom ranking speaks for itself. The concern is that much of the media no longer represents citizens but instead represents governments and corporations,” he said.
Whether the CJP sustains itself as a political force or fades as a fleeting online trend remains to be seen. But for now, the cockroaches are very much alive — and the establishment knows it.
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