India's Chief Justice Calls Youth 'Cockroaches,' Sparking Fury and a Satirical Political Party

New Delhi, India – A controversial remark by India's Chief Justice Surya Kant has triggered a firestorm on social media and given rise to a satirical political movement called the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (People's Cockroach Party).

During an open court hearing on Friday (May 10, local time), Justice Kant stated that there were 'parasites' attacking the system and likened some young people to cockroaches. 'There are young people like cockroaches, they have no jobs and no standing in any profession. Some become journalists, some operate on social media, become RTI activists and other activists, and they start attacking people,' Kant said.

He quickly clarified that his comments were aimed only at a few individuals seeking fake degrees, not India's youth, whom he called 'pillars of a developed India.' However, the public, especially Gen Z internet users, remained furious. They face massive unemployment, inflation, and deep religious divisions after 12 years of rule by the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amid the online uproar, Abhijeet Dipke (30), a recent public relations graduate from Boston University (USA), posted on X on Saturday: 'What if all the cockroaches came together?' Within hours, he launched a website and social media accounts for the 'Cockroach Janata Party' – a play on the ruling BJP party's name. 'The rulers treat citizens as cockroaches and parasites. They should know cockroaches only breed in decay. That's India today,' Dipke said.

The movement gained astonishing traction. The 'Cockroach Party' Instagram account hit 3 million followers in just three days, and over 350,000 people signed up as members via a Google form. Signatories included prominent opposition figures like MP Mahua Moitra and former MP Kirti Azad. Ashish Joshi, a former federal official, said he was among the first to register. 'In the past decade, the country has had a lot of fear. People are afraid to speak out. India has become so hateful that the Cockroach Party feels like a breath of fresh air,' Joshi said.

Justice Kant's comment came as Indian students protested nationwide over a leaked exam question paper, forcing the government to cancel a medical entrance exam. Prominent Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said the Chief Justice's remark reflected 'deep-seated prejudice and aversion' towards activists and youth, and mirrored the current government's mindset. Bhushan argued that India desperately needs a youth uprising because 'the economy and society are bleeding for the benefit of crony capitalists like Ambani and Adani.'

Dipke's 'Cockroach Party' has a four-point membership criteria: unemployed, lazy, addicted to social media, and able to complain professionally. Its slogan on X reads: 'A political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth. Secular – Socialist – Democratic – Lazy.' Dipke said he built the party online within 24 hours using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT. YouTuber Meghnad S commented: 'This joke has taken on a life of its own. People are looking for non-traditional political experiments. The Cockroach Party is a satirical, non-existent party, but people believe it's a better alternative to reality. That's a huge comment on Indian political parties in general.'

Dipke now says he is staying up all night to sustain the movement's momentum. He added: 'It's been too long that Indians have been silent. There is a responsibility to seize this moment and not laugh it away.'