An online post by engineering graduate Abhijeet Dipke has evolved into a significant protest movement led primarily by India’s Gen Z, following controversial remarks allegedly made by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The justice reportedly compared young people who criticize the government to “cockroaches” and “parasites,” comments he later said were taken out of context. The incident has ignited widespread dissatisfaction among youth facing unstable employment prospects despite India’s rapid economic growth.

In May, while searching for jobs in the United States, Dipke expressed his frustration through a satirical post on the social media platform X, asking, “What if all cockroaches come together?” The post quickly went viral and prompted Dipke to establish the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a parody movement riffing on the name of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Within hours, thousands of people signed up on a registration form, and the movement rapidly expanded its presence through an official website and manifesto.

Within 24 hours of launching, the CJP attracted over 30,000 members, and its Instagram account has since amassed more than 22 million followers—surpassing the BJP’s following by 13 million. Dipke attributes this momentum largely to Gen Z students in their twenties, who have taken the movement beyond online platforms to organize protests across multiple Indian cities.

Since returning to India from the United States on June 6, Dipke has been actively involved in demonstrations, including an ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, a well-known gathering spot for activists. The CJP's central demand is the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is held responsible for numerous educational system failures, especially concerning India’s medical entrance examination. Controversies surrounding the exam, including a leaked paper that necessitated a retake, have fueled public anger and mobilization.

The protests have attracted support from prominent figures such as climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who joined the movement and began a hunger strike on June 28. Wangchuk called it a civic duty to raise their voices against perceived injustices.

Dipke, who has prior experience working with the opposition Aam Aadmi Party as a communications strategist, emphasized that he does not intend to transform the CJP into a political party. Instead, he views it as a platform for youth to express their grievances and push for systemic reform.