NEW DELHI – A newly created social media movement in India, positioning itself as a voice for Generation Z concerns, has rapidly gone viral online and reportedly overtaken the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Instagram followers, drawing attention to issues such as unemployment, inflation and political representation.

The group, calling itself the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has gained nearly 20 million followers within a week, compared with the BJP’s reported following of under nine million. The BJP is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and describes itself as the world’s largest political party.

Founded by 30-year-old Abhijeet Dipke, the movement uses a cockroach outline on a mobile phone as its logo and describes itself as the “voice of the lazy and unemployed.” Dipke, who has been based in Boston for the past two years, said the initiative aims to reshape political discourse by bringing youth-related concerns into the mainstream.

He said the name was inspired by recent remarks attributed to India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, who reportedly used a cockroach analogy while commenting on issues related to unemployment and fake academic degrees.

According to Dipke, the movement reflects frustration among young people who feel excluded from political conversations and policymaking. He said the group seeks to highlight issues such as job scarcity, financial stress, and lack of opportunities.

The CJP’s social media content includes satirical graphics and videos discussing topics ranging from media independence to proposals advocating greater representation for women in parliament and cabinet positions. It has also highlighted recent disruptions in India’s education sector, including the cancellation of a major medical entrance examination following a reported paper leak affecting millions of students.

The rise of the online movement comes amid broader concerns about youth unemployment and economic pressure in India. A recent Deloitte Global survey indicated that young people in India are experiencing increased financial strain, with many delaying major life decisions such as home ownership due to economic uncertainty.

Official data shows unemployment among Indians aged 15 and above at 3.1%, while the rate rises significantly among youth aged 15 to 29, particularly in urban areas.

Experts have also warned that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, could further reduce entry-level job opportunities in sectors traditionally reliant on young workers.

Dipke said more than 400,000 people have registered as members through an online form, with a majority aged between 19 and 25. He clarified that the movement does not intend to replicate street-level political uprisings seen in neighbouring countries and insisted it would operate strictly within constitutional and democratic boundaries.

He added that the initiative could evolve into a larger political force but said no decision has been taken to form a formal political party.

Supporters of the movement say it resonates with young people who feel ignored by mainstream politics. One 26-year-old participant from Lucknow said the group gives voice to youth concerns and uses the “cockroach” symbol to represent resilience and survival under pressure.

Shashi Tharoor calls suspension of Satirical Cockroach Janata Party ‘s X Account ‘Foolish’

Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has criticised the withholding of the satirical social media account of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), calling the move “foolish” and warning that democracies must allow space for public frustration and satire.

The reaction came a day after the CJP’s account on X (formerly Twitter) was reportedly withheld in India following a legal complaint. The satirical digital platform had recently gained attention for its political content and youth-focused commentary, attracting significant online engagement before the restriction.

In a post on X on Friday (May 22, 2026), Tharoor said that democratic systems derive strength from allowing citizens to express grievances openly, including through satire. He argued that such platforms help channel public sentiment in a constructive manner and serve as a safety valve for social frustration.

I welcome the pushback to my post and interview on the #CockroachJantaParty phenomenon. Many users dismissed it as a Pakistani-manufactured conspiracy, but that is too simplistic: there are also counter-claims by @abhijeet_dipke that 94% of his followers are based in India.…

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 22, 2026

He further noted that while some users had dismissed the group as part of a foreign-backed narrative, others, including its founder Abhijeet Dipke, have claimed that the majority of its audience is based in India. Tharoor suggested that the platform hosting the account should clarify the user data to avoid speculation, but stressed that suppression of such content would be counterproductive in a democracy.

The CJP, founded by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke, had reportedly gained widespread attention online, including millions of followers on Instagram within a short span of time, before its presence on X was restricted.

Tharoor also referred to concerns expressed by Dipke’s family, who reportedly told a regional news outlet that they were distressed by their son’s growing public profile and political attention, adding that they did not want him to enter active politics.

In his posts, the Congress leader said that regardless of the intent behind such movements, they reflect genuine frustrations among young people that must be acknowledged by both the government and the opposition. He urged political stakeholders to address underlying concerns such as unemployment, economic stress, and lack of opportunity rather than attempting to silence such expressions.

Drawing an analogy, Tharoor compared such online movements to pressure valves in a cooker, suggesting that allowing controlled expression helps prevent larger social unrest. He said he preferred satire and dialogue over chaos or instability, and called for constructive engagement with youth-driven sentiment.

Tharoor had also earlier described the rise of CJP as “intriguing” and reiterated that democratic societies require outlets for dissent, humour, and frustration. He maintained that restricting such platforms risks deepening public discontent rather than resolving it.