From a courtroom remark to a viral movement: The four-day rise of the Cockroach Janata Party

Founded by Abhijeet Dipke, as a satirical outfit a day after the remarks of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticising the unemployed youth of India as "cockroaches", CJP has become a national movement.

Dipke, 30, a public relations student at Boston University, has previously worked with the social media team of the Aam Janata Party from 2020 to 2023, as reported by The Hindu.

On May 15, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Jogmalya Bagchi was hearing a case on senior advocate designation.

Referring to the petitioner's conduct and social media activity, the Chief Justice had remarked, "There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them?"

He further said, "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment or have any place in professions." "Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists, and they start attacking everyone."

The petitioner's counsel subsequently apologised and withdrew the plea.

CJI Surya Kant's remarks sparked major national debate, with many accusing him of targeting unemployed youth and civil society activists.

"This movement belongs to everyone who's frustrated with the regime," the party stated in an X post.

As of May 20, the party had garnered an astounding 1.9 million followers on Instagram and over 60,000 followers on X. The party said that it has reached over 1.6 lakh members.

The Five Demands

The CJP's manifesto posted on its website promises five sweeping institutional changes.

It says no Chief Justice would receive a Rajya Sabha seat as a "post-retirement reward" if the party comes to power.

The manifesto also proposes stringent action against alleged voter suppression, stating that if "any legit vote is deleted," the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) would face arrest under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), arguing that denying citizens voting rights is "no less than terrorism."

On gender representation, the party pledged 50% reservation for women, instead of the existing proposal of 33% — without increasing Parliament's strength. It also promised that half of all Cabinet positions would be reserved for women.

The CJP further targeted media ownership, saying all media houses owned by Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani would have their licences cancelled to "make way for truly independent media." It also called for investigations into the bank accounts of "Godi media anchors."

Trinamool Congress leaders Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad publicly showed their interest and requested to join the party.

"What are the qualifications required?" asked ex-cricketer Azad on X. "I too would like to join the CJP (besides being a card carrying member of the Anti National Party)," seconded Mahua.

In a major electoral reform proposal, the manifesto said any MLA or MP defecting from one political party to another would be barred from contesting elections or holding public office for 20 years.

CJI Clarifies

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday clarified that his controversial "cockroaches" remark was “misquoted” and was not directed at unemployed youth, but at individuals allegedly entering professions using “fake and bogus degrees.”

In a statement issued after widespread criticism, the CJI said he was "pained" by media reports suggesting he had criticised the country's youth.

"It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation," Justice Kant said, adding that his remarks during a Supreme Court hearing were aimed at protecting the integrity of professions such as law and media.