Founder of ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ returns to India, vows to take movement to the streets
New Delhi: Abhijit Dipke, founder of India’s satirical online movement “Cockroach Janata Party,” has announced his return from the United States, pledging to take the campaign from social media platforms to the streets through peaceful public protests.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Dipke, 30, a graduate of Boston University, said he plans to lead a peaceful demonstration in New Delhi on Saturday against Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The parody “Cockroach Janata Party,” echoing resembles Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has garnered millions of followers since its launch last month. The movement emerged after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant described government critics as “cockroaches” and “parasites,” remarks that sparked widespread debate online.
Dipke, who previously worked with the Aam Aadmi Party, launched the online campaign on May 16 under the slogan, “For the Youth, By the Youth.” In a post on social media platform X, he said his activities in India would remain within the constitutional framework and would focus on peaceful democratic protest.
Prominent social activist Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has also announced his participation in the Cockroach Janata Party’s planned protest, lending further visibility to the campaign.
Despite strict scrutiny of online content in India and the suspension of several associated accounts, the movement continues to gain momentum. Its Instagram account remains active with more than 22 million followers, exceeding the follower base of both the BJP and the Congress party on the platform.
Dipke has appealed to supporters not to assemble at the airport upon his arrival, saying such gatherings could inconvenience the public and security agencies. He reiterated that the movement’s activities and upcoming protest would remain entirely peaceful.
