A controversial remark by Surya Kant has triggered a fast growing satirical political movement in India, drawing millions of social media followers and exposing deep frustration among young Indians over unemployment, inequality and political dissent. The backlash inspired Abhijeet Dipke, a 30 year old public relations graduate from Boston University, to launch the so called Cockroach Janta Party online.
During an open court hearing last week, Justice Kant criticised activists and unemployed youth while discussing alleged misuse of the legal system.
“There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in the profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, RTI activists and other activists, and they start attacking everyone,” he said.
The remarks quickly spread across Indian social media and triggered widespread backlash, particularly among Gen Z users already frustrated by rising living costs, unemployment and political polarisation.
Justice Kant later clarified that he referred only to people obtaining fraudulent degrees and said India’s youth remained “the pillars of a developed India.”
However, the explanation failed to calm criticism online.
Satire Movement Explodes Online
Dipke first posted on X: “What if all cockroaches come together?”
Within hours, he created a website and social media accounts for the movement, mocking India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party through the new name.
“Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites,” Dipke told Al Jazeera from Chicago.
“They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That’s what India is today.”
The movement rapidly gained momentum.
The party’s Instagram account crossed 11 million followers within days, while more than 350,000 people reportedly signed up through online membership forms.
The group describes itself as “a union of lazy, unemployed cockroaches” and uses the slogan: “Secular – Socialist – Democratic – Lazy.”
Its membership criteria include being unemployed, “chronically online” and able to “rant professionally.”
Former civil servant Ashish Joshi said the movement reflected growing public frustration.
“In the last decade, there has been a lot of fear in the country. And people are scared to speak,” Joshi told Al Jazeera.
“India has become so hateful that the Cockroach Janta Party is like a breath of fresh air.”
Youth Frustration Fuels Wider Debate
The controversy arrives during growing economic pressure on young Indians.
India produces more than eight million graduates annually, but graduate unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average.
Recent protests over exam paper leaks and rising costs have further intensified public anger.
Prominent lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan criticised the chief justice’s remarks.
“The chief justice’s comments reflected deep-rooted prejudice and antipathy towards activists and youth in general,” Bhushan said.
Political commentators say the movement reflects wider dissatisfaction with traditional politics and growing demand for alternative voices.
YouTuber Meghnad S said many young Indians connected with the satire because it captured their frustration.
“Cockroach Janta Party is a satirical, nonexistent party, yet people believe that it is a better alternative to reality,” he said.
For Dipke, what started as an online joke now carries broader political meaning.
“For too long, people have been quiet in India,” he said.
“There is a responsibility to take this moment and not laugh it off.”
