What started as an internet joke is now turning into one of the loudest political memes on the internet. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a satirical group born just four days ago on Thursday, has reached 12 million followers on Instagram, surpassing the BJP’s 8.7 million followers on the platform.
The alleged party, founded by Abhijit Debaki, proudly calls itself “the voice of the lazy and unemployed” and has quickly gained traction among internet creators and meme-loving Generation Z users, with social media timelines now filled with cockroach emojis. Now, political heavyweights are joining in on the fun, too.
“BJP vs Bharatiya Janata Party”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav threw his weight behind the movement through a short post on Instagram and X. “BJP vs BJP,” he wrote. The phrase quickly spread.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia also joined in with a video on Instagram. “I’m a cockroach too,” Sisodia said.
“When there is a war between the crocodile and the cockroaches, I proudly stand with the Janta Cockroach Party.”
Trinamool Congress leaders Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad also publicly requested to join the Janata Party.
Kirti Azad posted on X: “I want to join Janta Cockroach Party. What are the qualifications required?”
“We welcome Kirti Azad to our Janta Cockroach Party. Winning the 1983 World Cup is a good enough qualification,” the CJP responded in full meme fashion.
Mahua Moitra also joined the trend, posting: “I too would like to join CJP (besides being a card carrying member of the anti-national party).”
The party welcomed her, saying: “You are a fighter for the needs of democracy, Mahua Moitra. Welcome to the RJD!”
‘Frustration of Indian youth’
Meanwhile, popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathi described the party’s sudden rise as a reflection of growing anger among the youth.
Terming it a “GenZ movement”, he said the massive online support represented the “frustration of Indian youth”.
“They demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Prada. I too would like to be a member of the Janata Party,” he added in a video posted on Instagram.
How the cockroach meme turned into a political storm
The Janata Cockroach Party came into being after controversial remarks made by Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, in which he compared some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”, sparking widespread online backlash.
“There are young people, like cockroaches, who do not get any job or any place in the profession. Some of them become media professionals, some of them become social media activists, RTI activists and other activists, and they start attacking everyone,” he said.
Before CJI Kant issued a clarification, these remarks had already sparked outrage online. What started as sarcastic comments and memes soon evolved into a full-fledged online movement, eventually giving birth to the Kukrush Janata Party.
The party openly acknowledges that it is a satire. But behind the humour, users say, lies frustration over unemployment, competitive exams, inflation, political privilege and the pressure on India’s youth.
Its statement includes demands such as:
- There are no Rajya Sabha seats after the retirement of the Chief Justice
- Take strict action against deleting valid votes
- An electoral ban on dissident MPs
- Take action against misinformation spread by the media
- Greater representation of women in governance
Why does Generation Z love it?
Unlike traditional political campaigns built around rallies and long speeches, the CJP has carved out its space almost entirely through meme culture, striking a chord with young social media users who increasingly relate to its humor and messaging.
Its publications mix dramatic, revolutionary-style sketches with silly humour, satirical slogans and tightly relatable jokes about unemployment and exam pressures.
Supporters jokingly describe themselves as “survivors” of inflation, entrance exams, job searches, and societal expectations.
