The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is a meme-driven political movement that emerged in India in May 2026 and rapidly evolved into one of the country’s biggest online political phenomena. The movement was sparked by controversial remarks from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who allegedly compared some unemployed youth and activists to “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing.
Founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student, the CJP began as a satirical internet campaign before turning into a wider expression of Gen Z frustration over unemployment, exam paper leaks, political accountability and freedom of expression. Dipke said the backlash intensified because the remarks came from “someone who is supposed to protect our freedom of expression”.
Within days of its launch, the CJP crossed 10 million followers on Instagram, overtaking the official account of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The movement also drew support from personalities including Prashant Bhushan, Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad.
The movement gained further attention after its original X account was withheld in India, only for a new linked account to surface within hours mocking the move. Dipke called the action expected as the parody movement continued to trend online.
Delhi and Mumbai witnessed heightened security as protests were organised demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In central Delhi, police enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita around Sansad Marg and Jantar Mantar to prohibit unlawful assemblies of five or more people. Paramilitary forces, Rapid Action Force personnel, and drone surveillance were deployed, with authorities actively dispersing and detaining demonstrators. Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party pressed ahead with its agitation at Shivaji Park despite the police denying official permission. The party set forward key demands, including the CEC's resignation, freezing the 2025 electoral list, and ensuring transparency in election commissioner appointments. Organisers and student groups including the All India Students Federation insisted on exercising their constitutional rights, while the opposition INDIA bloc began its nationwide demonstrations against the Election Commission.
Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das said the Mumbai protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process reflected strong public support. Speaking to India Today, Das said Shivaji Park was “full” and “overflowing with people” and announced plans for demonstrations in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal before returning to Delhi. He said the party would continue raising questions over voting rights and criticised restrictions on protest venues. Meanwhile, similar demonstrations in Delhi saw over 1,000 detentions, while the Election Commission announced a special voter enrolment drive.
Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process have taken place in Delhi and Mumbai. In Delhi, an earlier demonstration involving the Aam Aadmi Party and Left parties ended after around 1,100 protesters were detained. In Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, held a gathering at Shivaji Park, drawing public figures including Shabana Azmi, Vishal Bharadwaj and Naseeruddin Shah. The protests come as opposition parties plan district-level demonstrations and the Election Commission begins a special voter registration drive across 20 states.
In an interview with India Today, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das discussed the culmination of their protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park and outlined future agitation plans. Das maintained that the gathering demonstrated strong public backing, saying, "Shivaji Park was full. It was overflowing with people." He stated that citizens are demanding answers over their voting rights and declared that the party intends to take demonstrations across multiple states, including Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, before returning to Delhi. Addressing government restrictions and the barricading of traditional demonstration sites, Das remarked that dissent is an idea rather than a physical space, asserting that any place where citizens demand accountability becomes Jantar Mantar. Furthermore, Das commended the Mumbai Police for their cooperation during the Shivaji Park gathering while sharply criticizing the Delhi Police for detaining demonstrators.
A heated debate unfolded over nationwide protests demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner following allegations surrounding the Special Intensive Revision voter list exercise. Congress spokesperson Gurmehar Kaur argued that holding ground and participating in democratic processes is paramount, asserting that 'to contest elections is resistance' against institutional erosion. Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Sanju Verma defended the Election Commission of India, dismissing opposition protests as politically motivated charades and maintaining that the CEC acted within constitutional powers under Articles 324, 325, and 326. Meanwhile, CJP spokesperson Ravisha Pradeep stated that grassroots mobilisations and flash protests starting from Shivaji Park are essential to amplify citizen dissent when fundamental voting rights are compromised. The panel debated whether fragmented street protests can mount viable accountability ahead of the upcoming electoral battles.
Protests have erupted across Delhi and Mumbai as demonstrators seek the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. In Delhi, an earlier demonstration involving the Aam Aadmi Party and Left parties concluded following the detention of around 1,100 protesters. Meanwhile, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, staged a targeted gathering despite the venue being a designated silent zone. Demonstrators holding tricolour flags and placards assembled without punitive police intervention, with personalities such as Shabana Azmi, Vishal Bharadwaj, and Naseeruddin Shah visiting the site. Unlike the earlier indefinite agitations, the CJP plans a series of timed flash protests across multiple Indian cities to act as a political pressure group. The movement coincides with opposition party plans for district-level protests and comes as the Election Commission announced a special voter registration drive across 20 states.
A political confrontation has emerged over the SIR exercise and the 2025 electoral list as the Cockroach Janta Party launches nationwide agitations, starting from Mumbai. The outfit, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has outlined three core demands: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the freezing of the 2025 electoral roll, and enhanced transparency in the appointment procedure for the next CEC. Despite Mumbai Police denying permission citing public assembly regulations and traffic movement, the group affirmed plans to proceed on the ground. Simultaneously, the INDIA bloc has initiated its Save Democracy Week, carrying out demonstrations at district levels against the Election Commission. The ruling NDA countered the agitations, questioning the motives behind the protests and claiming the move defends bogus voters. Protesters allege that extensive deletions have disenfranchised approximately thirteen crore voters without adhering to standard documentation verification protocols.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv averted a midair disaster after an altercation inside the cockpit resulted in Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar being stabbed multiple times by his Omani co-pilot, who attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
At the India Today Conclave South, a panel on Gen Z's political voice explored the issues shaping young voters and their growing influence on Tamil Nadu politics. TVK spokesperson M Sathya Kumar attributed the party’s reported 68 per cent support among Gen Z voters in the last Assembly election to Vijay’s focus on jobs, better governance, government efficiency and direct communication with young people. He said Gen Z was seeking “truthful conversations”, integrity and values from political leaders, adding that Vijay’s messaging had resonated strongly with this generation. BJP’s Anil K Antony offered a different perspective, arguing that the BJP’s recent electoral performance reflected continued support among younger voters. He pointed to the growth of startups, high-technology sectors and employment opportunities, saying the party would continue working with the younger generation. Congress leader KS Shabareenathan, however, said issues such as graduate unemployment remained inadequately addressed and argued that young voters were increasingly looking for leaders who demonstrated honesty, integrity and an understanding of their concerns. CJP South India In-Charge Vijay Reddy Mallangi linked the growing political engagement of young voters to broader concerns, including the credibility of the electoral process. Referring to the protests at Jantar Mantar, he said sustained efforts had driven the mobilisation and suggested similar protests could emerge elsewhere. The panel, which brought together representatives from TVK, BJP, Congress and CJP, highlighted how employment, governance, political integrity and trust in electoral institutions are becoming central to the political engagement of younger voters.
Speaking on the growing controversy over the Election Commission, Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das addressed the 48-hour ultimatum issued for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Das warned of a Jantar Mantar-style agitation, alleging the mass disenfranchisement of 13 crore voters through the Special Intensive Revision. He asserted, 'The only question of credibility here is of the Election Commission of India,' adding that youth and Gen Z voters are being systematically excluded.
This episode of Five Live covers the results of the Rajasthan civic body elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 41 percent of the wards, the Congress captured 35 percent, and independent candidates and smaller parties won 24 percent.
The Cockroach Janta Party has witnessed its first internal split months after its formation, with a rebel faction breaking away to float the Cockroach Janta Party Democratic. The breakaway faction accused the leadership of sidelining grassroots protesters, striking political deals, and politicising the youth-led platform. In response, the leadership dismissed the allegations regarding political affiliations, asserting that the movement solely represents students. Starting as an online satirical initiative, the platform had evolved into a youth movement before encountering this internal rupture.
Pranita Subhash discussed celebrity support for Gen Z protests and student activism at the India Today Karnataka Roundtable. In an exclusive interview, the actor shared her take on why celebrities were cautious about protests against examination irregularities.
Congress MP and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday staged a dharna (sit-in) outside the Parliament Street Police Station in New Delhi seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries allegedly suffered by a young man on July 20 during the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest. He was also joined by his sister and fellow parliamentarian, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by the alleged pellet gun injury victim, Sahil Lochab, first visited the Mandir Marg Police Station and sought the registration of the FIR. After his demand was not accepted, he went to the Parliament Street police station and met the deputy commissioner of police (DCP). After the discussions with the senior official failed, the Congress leader sat on a dharna outside the police station.
The FIR against a 15-year-old over alleged remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked debate over the use of BNS Sections 352, 353 and 356.
The CBI chargesheet reveals how three NTA experts allegedly accessed, memorised and leaked the final NEET-UG 2026 question paper.
Jharkhand's protest over alleged JPSC-JSSC recruitment irregularities has entered Day 14, with talks between students and the Hemant Soren government remaining deadlocked as hunger strikes continue.
Education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk spoke about his health and recovery after ending his hunger strike, as well as the nationwide protests over examination irregularities.
Several women who became the face of the CJP protests say they were subjected to doxxing, r*pe threats, sl*t-shaming and coordinated online harassment.
In an engaging panel discussion led by anchor Priti Choudhry, Chief Spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party Saurabh Das along with Senior Advocates Aman Lekhi and Sanjay Hegde deliberate on the FIR filed against a young student, Ruchika Singh, following recent protests.
