'Cockroach Party' X Account Blocked In India

By Shakir Husain

HYDERABAD, May 21 (Bernama) -- A social media sensation going by the name of "Cockroach Janta Party" has its X account blocked in India after garnering millions of online followers across social media platforms.

It started after India's Chief Justice Surya Kant made controversial comments during a hearing on May 15 that allegedly likened some unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites" who become media, social media or Right to Information activists who "start attacking everyone."

The top judge clarified the next day that he was misquoted in the media and only referring to those who entered professions using "fake and bogus degrees."

However, his remarks went viral, leading to a flood of online criticism, satire and memes.

Abhijeet Dipke, a public relations graduate from Boston University in the United States, came up with his idea of "Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), or Cockroach People's Party.

Its followers on Instagram numbered more than 15 million on Thursday, while its X account with the handle @CJP_2029  attracted 200,000 followers before it was banned in the country.

Launched on Saturday, its tagline was "A political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth."

"As expected Cockroach Janta Party's account has been withheld in India," Dipke said in a post on X on Thursday.

His satirical campaign is drawing massive online attention in India and among Indians abroad, with discussions focusing on issues such as India's boisterous and divisive politics, corruption and growing youth unemployment.

Some view it as a move to influence India's next national elections in 2029. 

CJP's followers on Instagram exceed those of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Indian National Congress on the platform.

Many commentators attributed the traction Dipke's campaign received to the angst felt by India's GenZ due to a lack of educational and employment opportunities.

"What makes the CJP interesting is its popularity and connection among India's Gen Z. Can it develop into a platform that gives voice to the grievances of India's youth? Is it a flash in the pan? Can it make a political impact?" asked The Hindu social affairs editor G. Sampath in an article published on the newspaper’s podcast section.

"India faces a cockroach tsunami," Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, a former BBC editor, posted on her Facebook.

-- BERNAMA