What Did CJI Surya Kant Say That Led To The Formation Of The 'Cockroach Janata Party'?

New Delhi: The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) staged a major protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday. While the turnout was initially sparse, a large number of people - including both the elderly and the youth - joined the protest as the day progressed. Abhijit Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, returned to Delhi from the US on Saturday morning and headed straight to the protest site after securing police permission at the airport.

Through this movement, the party is demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. An initial deadline of 5 PM was set, but when the resignation did not materialize, the deadline was extended by seven days. A warning has been issued that the protest will spread nationwide if the resignation does not take place. The CJP was formed recently, centered around a statement made by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing. However, following the ensuing uproar, he issued a clarification, stating that his comments had been distorted and misrepresented by the media.

What exactly did the CJI say that led to the formation of the 'Cockroach Party'?

During a hearing last May, CJI Surya Kant made remarks regarding individuals holding allegedly fake degrees and those critical of the court. He observed that some young people are like "cockroaches" - unable to secure employment or find a foothold in their professions - who then turn to the media, social media, or RTI activism to attack everyone. He also described such individuals as "parasites." The remark sparked an immediate controversy, as it was perceived as a derogatory statement against unemployed youth and social activists. However, as the controversy escalated, CJI Surya Kant issued a clarification stating that his oral observations had been misrepresented by a section of the media.

He clarified that he was not targeting the country's unemployed youth, but rather those who enter the legal profession and other fields using fake or forged degrees. He emphasized that he holds the youth of India in high regard and considers them the foundation of a developed India. The 'Cockroach Janata Party' was formed instantly. Following a statement by CJI Surya Kant, Abhijit Dipke - formerly associated with the Aam Aadmi Party and then based in Boston, USA - created accounts under the name 'Cockroach Janata Party' on the social media platforms X and Instagram.

How did 'Gen-Z' react?

Almost immediately, Gen-Z users and others began following these accounts. Within a few hours, hundreds of thousands of people had joined; within a few days, the figure on Instagram had surged past 20 million. Similarly, the follower count on X rapidly climbed into the hundreds of thousands. Subsequently, acting on government directives, X suspended the account in India, citing security concerns. Deepke then created a new account, and hundreds of thousands of people once again flocked to 'Cockroach is Back'. Young people perceived the CJI's statement as an insult; the remark regarding unemployed youth was deemed offensive. Although the CJI clarified the very next day that he had not intended to cause offense, youth across the country continued to follow the 'Cockroach Janata Party'.