India’s ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ began as a joke. Then millions joined in.

AsiaIndia’s ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ began as a joke. Then millions joined in.The movement’s rise traces back to comments made by a Supreme Court justice, who compared some young people and critics of institutions to “cockroaches” and “parasites.”A promotional image for the newly formed Cockroach Janta Party.Cockroach Janta PartyShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 23, 2026, 5:00 AM EDTBy Jay Ganglani and The Associated PressWhat began as an internet punchline is turning into something more serious.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Indians online are rallying around the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP — a parody political movement that started as online satire but has rapidly become a vehicle for venting anger over unemployment, corruption and the state of India’s democracy.The movement, a cheeky riff on the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has flooded social media with memes, mock campaign messaging and jokes carrying an edge of public frustration.“We have to understand that five years ago nobody was ready to speak up against Modi or the government,” said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. “The times are changing.”Founded last month, the movement’s rise traces back to comments made by Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, who compared some young people and critics of institutions to “cockroaches” and “parasites.”“There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment or have any place in the profession,” Kant said.The remarks quickly ricocheted across social media, drawing criticism and meme-making in equal measure. Kant later said he had not intended to insult young people and that his comments were directed at individuals with fraudulent degrees.But by then, the internet had already done what it does best.On Instagram, the movement has amassed roughly 19 million followers — more than double the number for the BJP, which has approximatel...