A satirical online platform called the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) has gone viral days after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s controversial “cockroaches” remark sparked backlash online. The issue gained further attention after Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad publicly backed the group on X.
The controversy began during a recent court hearing when the CJI said some youngsters “like cockroaches” enter professions using improper credentials and then attack institutions through media, social media and RTI activism. The remark drew criticism online, with many accusing him of insulting unemployed youth and young professionals.
Soon after, the satirical X account “Cockroach Janta Party” emerged, presenting itself as a symbolic voice for frustrated and unemployed youth. The group describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth” and calls itself “Secular-Socialist-Democratic-Lazy.” It claimed to have crossed 15,000 followers within 24 hours and later said over 40,000 people had joined the movement.
The CJP says it represents “the lazy and unemployed” and those “the system forgot to count,” while also stressing support for the Constitution and democratic values. The platform gained traction for its sarcastic membership rules, including being “chronically online,” “unemployed by force or choice,” and able to “rant professionally.” It also said religion, caste and gender were not criteria for membership.
On Sunday, Kirti Azad posted on X asking how he could join the “Cockroach Janta Party.” The group replied joking that winning the 1983 Cricket World Cup was qualification enough. Mahua Moitra also said she wanted to join the CJP “besides being a card-carrying member of the Anti National Party.” The account welcomed her, calling her “the fighter democracy needs.”
Following the controversy, CJI Surya Kant clarified that his remarks were being misinterpreted. He said the comments were aimed at people entering professions using fake and bogus degrees, not at unemployed youth. “Such persons have sneaked into the media, social media and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites,” he said. Calling reports that he targeted unemployed youth “totally baseless,” the Chief Justice added that he was proud of India’s young population and inspired by the country’s youth.