Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old Boston University graduate behind India's satirical online "Cockroach People's Party," said he was flying back to New Delhi on Friday to take the viral social media campaign to the streets. The parody party, officially named "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP), echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has amassed millions of online followers since its launch last month.
Origins of the Movement
CJP was established after India's Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly referred to young government critics as "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing. Kant later clarified that his comments were taken out of context. Dipke, a political communications strategist who previously worked with the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), created the fictional party online on May 16. Its popularity has surged, using the slogan "a political front for the youth, by the youth, for the youth."
Protest Plans
Dipke has called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who faces criticism over alleged irregularities in several key examinations. On Friday, Dipke posted on X: "On my way to India ... Leaving my fate in the hands of the Constitution." Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, from occupied Ladakh, who spent six months in detention after being arrested in September following deadly protests demanding autonomy for the Himalayan territory, has announced he will join the protests.
India tightly regulates social media content, and some of CJP's social media handles have been blocked. However, its Instagram handle remains active in India and boasts over 22 million followers—more than double the BJP's 9 million followers on the same platform, and surpassing the main opposition Congress Party's 13 million followers.
Call for Orderly Protest
Dipke earlier urged followers not to gather at the airport upon his arrival. In a video message on X posted Thursday, he said: "The overwhelming response from those who want the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan to our call to join us at Delhi Airport was beyond our imagination. It is not feasible for so many people to assemble at the airport as it would cause inconvenience to the public and the security forces." He stated he would immediately go to the police "to seek permission directly for our peaceful protest" on Saturday. "We are law abiding citizens and have to act responsibly," he added. "So, please, be mindful that nobody should create any kind of disturbance."
