New Delhi - India's political establishment is facing an unusual threat: a viral online protest movement led by an AI-generated cockroach. The 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP) was launched last week as a satire after Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly called unemployed youth 'cockroaches' and 'parasites.' Within days, the fake party amassed over 20 million Instagram followers, surpassing the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party.
On Thursday, the CJP's X account was blocked after the Intelligence Bureau flagged it as a threat to national sovereignty. Founder Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student, says the movement aims to hold politicians accountable, not contest elections. The CJP's five-point agenda includes banning post-retirement perks for judges and reserving 50% of parliamentary seats for women.
The movement taps into deep youth anger over unemployment, with nearly 40% of graduates aged 15-25 jobless, according to a recent report. Government officials are wary that this online satire could escalate into real-world protests, echoing recent unrest in neighboring Nepal.