Cockroach party with over 22mln Inst followers plans street protest

NEW DELHI: The founder of an online Indian youth movement that has attracted more than 22.3 million followers on Instagram has announced a street protest on Monday, which potentially mounting further pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by US-based founder Abhijeet Dipke, has tapped into growing concerns over politics, unemployment and inflation. The movement has focused on recent exam paper leaks and alleged errors in the marking of final-year school examinations, which students say could jeopardize the careers of millions.

Dipke announced that he would return to India to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

In a post on X, Dipke urged young people to join the planned protest in Delhi and “exercise our constitutional right to seek accountability from the government.”

He said nearly 800,000 students had signed a petition calling for Pradhan’s resignation.

The CJP’s rapid rise represents one of the largest online expressions of dissent during Modi’s 12 years in power. Analysts say the movement could dent the government’s image despite recent state election victories, as frustration grows over rising fuel prices and gas shortages linked to the Iran war.

The party’s name refers to comments by India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, who compared some unemployed youth to cockroaches. Kant later clarified that he was referring to people holding “fake and bogus degrees” and did not intend to criticize young people in general.

The party has amassed more than 22 million followers on Instagram.