In a country where political parties spend crores on campaigns, a cartoon cockroach managed to capture the attention of millions of young Indians. Welcome to the strange but fascinating rise of the Cockroach Janta Party.
What started as an online satirical joke has now turned into a full fledged youth movement. It all began when Supreme Court of India Chief Justice Surya Kant called the unemployed youth as cockroaches during a court session. He went on to say that “there are youngsters like cockroaches, they don't get any employment, they don't have any place in any profession.” This triggered the youth and Gen Z flipped the insult into a movement called the CJP. While India is known to have the longest youth population in the world, the party gained 10 million followers in five days to now having a huge youth support of 22.7 million followers on Instagram.
Apart from the memes, humour and satirical digs at big parties lies a growing frustration of the youth about issues that now lay before them be it unemployment, rising living costs, recruitments, corruption, poor hospitality system, and a future that feels uncertain.
Image Credits: CJP Instagram Page
Who Founded the Cockroach Janta Party?
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) was founded in May, 2026 with the tagline "Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed, as a satirical online campaign. The party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke, an India political communications strategist and a student based in the United States. Dipke completed his undergraduate degree in journalism in Pune before moving to the US where he recently completed his Masters Degree in Public Relations at Boston University.
According to Abhijeet, the idea originated as a joke after the CJI remarks against the youth. While CJI Surya Kant later clarified that his comments were towards those who enter professions with a fake degree, many youngsters viewed it as a taunt to their struggles and instead of rejecting the label, they embraced it. Within days of registering itself on a website, social media was filled with youth supporting the party after it showcased 5 manifestos as follows:
1) If the CJP comes in power, no Chief Justice shall be granted a Rajya Sabha seat as a post-retirement reward.
2) If any legit vote is deleted, whether in a CJP or opposition-ruled state, the CEC shall be arrested under UAPA, as taking away voting rights of citizens is no less than terrorism.
3) Women shall receive 50% reservation, not 33%, without increasing the strength of Parliament. Additionally, 50% of all Cabinet positions shall be reserved for women.
4) All media houses owned by Ambani and Adani shall have their licences cancelled to make way for truly independent media. Bank accounts of Godi media anchors shall be investigated.
5) Any MLA or MP who defects from one party to another shall be barred from contesting elections — and from holding any public office — for a period of 20 years.
It started with one youth set out to bring a change while gathering thousands of youth to join the party. With the eligibility criteria as lazy, unemployed, chronically online and ability to rant professionally.
Through humorous videos, memes, mock political campaigns, satirical content they raised issues not only of unemployment but also job scarcity, rising living costs, roads and environment issues, etc.
Critics Vs Supporters: What are People on The Internet Saying
The CJP has attracted both critics and supporters. For supporters the Cockroach Janta Party is far more than a meme. Many young people view it as the first movement in years to bring about change and in understanding the frustrations of the youth when it comes to unemployment and education matters. Across Instagram, X and Reddit supporters argue that the movement has transformed online frustration into a collective voice and sparked conversations that mainstream institutions often overlook.
Although critics are questioning whether the movement's popularity has any hidden political agenda. One of the most common criticisms is that the Cockroach Janta Party represents "slacktivism", a form of activism that largely exists online. Critics point out that following an Instagram page or sharing a meme is far easier than participating in sustained civic engagement or policy reform. With a few critics now starting an online page like another rebellious and humorous satirical party known as the Oggy Janta Party as a counter-narrative to the newly launched Cockroach Janta Party. It uses the popular cartoon Oggy and the Cockroaches to mock the internet.
The Oggy Janta Party highlighted the fact of Abhijit Dipkes (Founder of CJP) connection with the Aam Aadmi Party. It is said that Dipke volunteered with the political party as a social media and election campaign team. The OJP’s main motto is to question the CJP about the motive behind the party. While many online state that the CJP is against the government that is under Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janta Party. Some critics argue that while the movement effectively highlights problems, it has yet to provide practical solutions. They believe that memes and viral content can amplify public anger but may struggle to address complex issues such as job creation, educational reform, or economic policy.
CJP's First Major Protest
For weeks, the Cockroach Janta Party primarily existed online. While millions followed its content and supported the moment, many people started claiming the founder is sitting in the US and turning this into heated moments on the internet. This led to the founder Abhijit taking to Instagram with a video of him declaring his return to India to support the youth. On 6th June, 2026 the CJP took its first major step by holding the protests over the recent paper leak and called the youth for a peaceful protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Upon landing in New Delhi from the United States, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke went straight to Jantar Mantar. He joined the massive student demonstration that had been spearheaded by the party's three main spokespersons Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya, and Ashutosh Ranka to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities.
Protestors were asked to carry books and hand out flowers to deployed police personnel. The youth protest gathered among 1000 of youth and their parents demanding accountability for the NEET-UG leak and the CBSE’s on-screen marking system. Protestors accused the government of failing to address recurring examination related controversies and other issues affecting students across the country. Climate activist and Educator Sonam Wangchuk too was present at the protest and asserted that in any self-respecting democracy, an education minister would step down after such significant compromises to millions of student futures. The demonstration remained largely peaceful. Protesters wore cockroach masks, carried placards, waved copies of the Constitution, and chanted slogans. Many participants argued that years of preparation and hard work by students had been undermined by administrative failures.
One of the biggest talking points after the protest was media coverage. Many supporters argued that on social media mainstream media did not provide the level of attention the protest needed. Discussions on Reddit and other platforms accused mainstream media outlets of downplaying the event, although major newspapers and digital news organisations did report on the protest. While several major news organizations described attendance as "hundreds" of protesters at Jantar Mantar and called it a failure. The stark reality on social media stated otherwise, attendees and supporters shared videos and social media claimed the turnout was much larger in thousands. This perceived gap between social media visibility and traditional media coverage has itself become part of the CJP narrative, reinforcing supporters' belief that young people's concerns are often overlooked.
Political observers have noted that the movement's rapid rise is increasingly being discussed within mainstream political circles, suggesting that what began as a satirical internet joke may be evolving into a larger youth-led pressure movement. According to reports, Omar Abdullah suggested that opposition parties should pay attention to the movement because it is resonating with young people. Mamata Banerjee also expressed support, saying that alongside political battles, there should be space for citizen-led and youth-driven movements. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray reportedly referred to the CJP as well, saying that its growing support shows that people still feel comfortable expressing dissent and raising their concerns publicly.
The Cockroach Janta Party has now announced another protest in Pune on June 11, 2026 at the Savitribai Phule Pune University. They have also stated that this could lead to a huge protest over India if the Education Minister does not resign.
Thus the success of the Cockroach Janta Party isn't really about cockroaches. It's about a generation searching for answers in an economy where degrees no longer guarantee opportunities. Behind the jokes and memes lies a serious question: are India's young people being heard?
