‘Cockroach Janata Party’ in the discussion; Why are thousands of Indian youth joining?

An unprecedented satirical political movement has started in India over a controversial remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant. After the Chief Justice compared unemployed youth to ‘cockroaches’ during a hearing, thousands of youth are joining a virtual platform called ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ (CJP) on social media.

Justice Surya Kant said in a case hearing last Friday, ‘Some youth are like cockroaches, who cannot get work anywhere and who have no professional identity. They start attacking everyone by posing as social media or RTI (Right to Information) activists.’ The judge’s remark has sparked extreme anger among the younger generation of India, who are already fighting against rampant unemployment, price hikes and religious divisions.

Capitalizing on this anger, 30-year-old Abhijit Deepke made a joke on social media. He asked, “What if all cockroaches were the same?” This is how the ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ started its journey. In just three days, the number of followers on the party’s Instagram account has crossed 3 million and more than 3.5 million people have become members by filling out the Google form. This list also includes big political figures like Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Maitra.

This satirical party has four strange conditions for membership: a member must be unemployed, lazy, constantly online and able to complain professionally. The party’s manifesto sharply criticizes the government for vote rigging, a loyal media and judges getting government posts after retirement.

Abhijit Deepke told Al Jazeera, “Those in power consider citizens as cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. India today is just such a place.’

Senior Supreme Court lawyer and human rights activist Prashant Bhushan said, ‘The Chief Justice’s comments are an expression of deep hatred and prejudice against the youth.’ He believes that the common people are now fed up and are demanding accountability through such ironic movements.

According to analysts, India is the most populous country in the world, but the unemployment rate among graduates here is about 29 percent. The Chief Justice’s comments have added fuel to the fire at a time when student protests are going on across India over the recent leak of medical exam question papers.

Abhijit said that he has created the party’s logo and manifesto using artificial intelligence. According to him, people have been silenced in India for a long time — now is not the time to laugh it off.