The Cockroach Janata Party’s X account was withheld in India following a legal demand, founder Abhijeet Dipke said, days after the satirical political movement gained massive traction online.
“Cockroach Janta Party’s account was started on 16th May. Within 4 days the account got banned because it got more than 200K following,” Dipke posted on X. He also alleged that attempts were made to hack the party’s Instagram account.
Soon after the restriction, Dipke launched a new X handle titled “Cockroach Is Back” with the line, “You thought you can get rid of us? Lol”. He said the matter would be pursued legally.
The new account quickly drew attention online. Within hours, it had amassed thousands of followers and crossed over 85,000 followers by late evening with only a few posts. Dipke also shared a sarcastic image showing a cockroach nibbling on the BJP’s lotus symbol.
The Cockroach Janata Party, founded on May 16 by Dipke, a former Aam Aadmi Party social media strategist and Boston University graduate, emerged as a viral online movement combining humour, memes and political commentary. The campaign was reportedly triggered by remarks attributed to Chief Justice Surya Kant referring to unemployed youth as “cockroaches”, though the judge later clarified that he had been “misquoted”.
Despite the clarification, the movement continued to gain momentum across social media platforms. The party’s Instagram following reportedly crossed 14.5 million, surpassing the BJP’s official account. The Congress remained ahead with over 13 million followers.
The CJP describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth” and uses the slogan, “Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy”. Several public figures, including politicians and activists, have interacted with or expressed interest in the movement.
What began as an online satire campaign has rapidly evolved into a wider digital movement centred on unemployment, governance, institutional accountability and youth frustration.
(With inputs from agencies)