From memes to movement: Who's behind 'Cockroach Janata Party' with 1 lakh members in 3 days

From memes to movement: move over, BJP; Gen Z has now formed the Cockroach Janta Party and no, it's not a spoof. The party was founded three days ago, and people are joining the party.

Are you unemployed, lazy, chronically online, and able to rant professionally? Then this party is for you.

A satirical online political movement called the "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) has gone viral after remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing sparked controversy. While hearing a petition on May 15 regarding the designation of senior advocates, the CJI remarked that there are youngsters "like cockroaches" who are unemployed and struggling to find space in the profession.

Soon after the controversy, a 30-year-old Indian student studying public relations at Boston University launched the Cockroach Janata Party as a satirical platform for frustrated youth. Founded by Abhijeet Dipke, the movement quickly gained traction online with the slogan "Main Bhi Cockroach."

Within two days, the group launched a website, a party anthem, and amassed over 40,000 followers on X and more than 1 million followers on Instagram, while nearly one lakh people reportedly registered as members.

Dipke said the idea emerged spontaneously after hearing about the CJI's remarks and claimed that many young people feel disconnected from traditional political parties. According to him, the movement aims to encourage civic participation, activism, RTI awareness, and political engagement through humour and satire that resonates with the younger generation.

The party describes itself as "Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy" and has released a five-point agenda online. It has also commented on national issues, including the NEET paper leak controversy, demanding accountability and calling for the resignation of the Education Minister. In another social media post, the group urged the CBSE to scrap rechecking fees and support affected students.

The eligibility criteria to join the party include being unemployed, lazy, chronically online, and having the "ability to rant professionally."

The movement has also drawn attention after leaders such as Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad publicly joined the satirical platform.

Welcoming Mahua Moitra, the party posted that "those who rig elections and spread communal hatred are the real anti-nationals," while Kirti Azad's induction was humorously justified by saying, "Winning the 1983 World Cup is a good enough qualification."

Other proposals floated by the party include 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament, strict anti-defection rules for MPs and MLAs, and controversial suggestions regarding accountability in election management.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant clarified that he was misquoted 

However, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday sought to clear the air around his "youngsters like cockroaches" remark, saying that his oral observations were misquoted, and that his criticism was aimed specifically at those who entered professions such as the Bar (legal profession) using fake or bogus degrees.

Clarifying his remarks, CJI Kant said a section of the media had misquoted his observations and presented them as criticism of the country's youth.

"I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions, and hence they are like parasites. It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation," he said.

The CJI also said that he is proud of the country's youth and considers them the "pillars of a developed India", news agency ANI reported.

He said, "Not only am I proud of our present and future human resources, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I, too, see them as the pillars of a developed India."

What sparked the controversy?

The comments came during a hearing before a bench comprising the CJI and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The bench was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sanjay Dubey seeking contempt proceedings against the Delhi High Court for the alleged delay in implementing Supreme Court guidelines on the designation of senior advocates.

CJI Kant strongly criticised what he described as increasing, unnecessary attacks on the judiciary and the legal system. He said some unemployed youngsters later become "media, social media, RTI activists and other activists" and start targeting institutions.

"There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don't get any employment or have any place in profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists and they start attacking everyone," the CJI observed during the hearing of a plea relating to the conferment of senior advocate designation."

The bench declined to hear the plea and strongly disapproved of the petitioner's conduct. It observed that senior advocate designation is a distinction "conferred" by the court and not something that should be pursued through legal action.