Our Origin Story: How The Cockroach Janta Party Movement Was Born

From a parody party to an “online political party”, Cockroach Janta Party or CJP is the newest political startup in India, founded by an Indian student from Boston University. It was prompted by the Supreme Court Chief Justice’s derogatory remarks about jobless Indian youth. The statement led to outrage, which led to a new mobilisation online. It has now become a viral phenomenon on social media. From politicians to influencers, everyone wants to be part of the trend that began as satire.

It all started when a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Jogmalya Bagchi was hearing a case on 15 May, when Kant referred to the unemployed youth of India as cockroaches and parasites.

Abhijeet Dipke, an Indian student studying public relations at Boston University, and now the founder of CJP, posted on X the next day, announcing a “new platform for all the cockroaches”.

“Eligibility criteria—unemployed, lazy, chronically online and ability to rant professionally,” he wrote on X. He added a Google form for whoever wanted to be a part of the new party. The post quickly went viral, attracting scores of engagement and views.

“It was completely impromptu. I read the CJI’s comment—that everybody is a cockroach—and I tweeted from my personal account,” Dipke told ThePrint over a call.

The CJI later said that the media had misquoted him. His remarks, he clarified, were aimed at people “using fake and bogus” degrees.

OVER 46,000 NEW MEMBERS IN TWO DAYS

The CJI’s second statement hasn’t quelled the anger, and the cockroach party’s momentum isn’t slowing.

In the last 48 hours, CJP has launched a party anthem, a website, and has managed to garner more than 22,000 followers on X and nearly 34,000 on Instagram. Most followers are in their early 20s and late teens. They have been writing to Dipke, he said, asking that he make CJP an actual party because they do not have any expectations from existing political parties.

“They wrote to me, do not back off!” Dipke said.

According to him, young people are tired of ‘outdated’ political parties.

“The youth feel disconnected from existing political parties and institutions. Their politics feel outdated. Young people want something that reflects their language, humour and frustrations,” said Dipke.

Over 46,000 people have signed up on the Google form. Dipke, who is currently in the US, never imagined such a response. He feels overwhelmed. The public relations student was celebrating his graduation in Boston when he stumbled upon CJI Kant’s remarks.

“What began as satire is now becoming something bigger. People are messaging us saying they’ve lost hope in both the government and the Opposition,” said Dipke, a native of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

Political figures such as Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad have posted on X saying they also want to be a part of CJP. Lawyer even Prashant Bhushan posted in support of the party.

“Influencers are reaching out to collaborate, youngsters are writing to become a part of the party,” said Dipke.

Several handles on X allege that the CJP is a plant by the Aam Aadmi Party. Dismissing all such claims, Dipke said that his post was only sarcasm. Before enrolling in Boston University, Dipke had worked with the AAP government in Delhi from 2020 to 2023 as a volunteer.

MANIFESTO, FUTURE PLANS

The 30-year-old is calling the CJP a movement or an online party, which will encourage young people, especially Gen Z, to become politically active. Going forward, he wants the platform to mobilise youth, encourage civic engagement, and even guide supporters toward activism through steps such as filing RTIs to hold governments accountable.

Dipke has also launched a website with the help of his friends. It has four categories: Manifesto, Vision, Eligibility, and Contact.

The manifesto mentions bold measures. “If the CJP comes in power, no Chief Justice shall be granted a Rajya Sabha seat as a post-retirement reward,” reads the first point.

Others include women’s reservation in Parliament to be increased, strict action against the CEC if a “legit” vote is deleted.

Many on social media are showing support for the CJP through posts and reels. And several handles on X have now claimed the cockroach as an identity. “Main bhi cockroach (I am also a cockroach),” is their slogan.

Some groups have started cleaning drives wearing a cockroach on their chest, framing the initiatives as constructive civic responses.