Whether it is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), or any other party—Indian politics remains dominated primarily by strong networks, muscle power, and money. In many respects, this reality discourages numerous young Indians from actively participating in politics, and at times, causes them to lose interest in it entirely. However, this situation may have changed overnight.
Over the past few days, a newfound enthusiasm for politics has been observed among Indian youth. Social media platforms are abuzz with trending reels, daily updates, and memes; suddenly, politics has become the central topic of conversation everywhere. The credit for this goes to a single individual: Abhijeet Dipke, the leader of the 'Cockroach Janata Party' (CJP). The CJP is a satirical organization that found itself at the center of controversy following a remark made by Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, in which he likened unemployed youth to "cockroaches."
The party has received over 100,000 registrations so far and has launched a website, along with a party anthem. It enjoys the support of prominent politicians such as Mahua Moitra, Kirti Azad, and Prashant Bhushan. But who is behind this viral 'Cockroach Janata Party' movement? Why did they found the 'CJP'? And much more. Let's find out.
Who is Abhijeet Dipke?
30-year-old Dipke is the founder of CJP. He is a political communication strategist specializing in storytelling, public messaging, and the impact of digital platforms on political public opinion. He completed his bachelor's degree in journalism in Pune. Subsequently, Dipke moved to the United States for further studies. According to *Mint*, he recently completed a two-year master's degree in Public Relations at Boston University. During an interview, he mentioned that he is currently applying for jobs.
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke was associated with the social media and election campaign machinery of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Arvind Kejriwal. In 2020, when Kejriwal's AAP secured a majority in the Delhi Assembly elections, Dipke was working on a meme-based digital campaign that helped bolster the party's political messaging, digital presence, and outreach to the youth.
During an interview with India Today, when asked why he left the AAP, Dipke stated: I needed to move forward in my life. I took a one-year break, began preparing my applications, and in 2024, decided that the time had come for me to focus on my personal life and financial stability. I applied to several universities, secured admission at Boston University, and have been here ever since.
What is the Cockroach People Party?
The term "Tilchatta" originated from a remark made by the Chief Justice during a hearing. Chief Justice Kant addressed unemployed youths—who are facing challenges and struggling to carve out a niche for themselves in the professional world and society—as "Tilchatta" (cockroaches). Dipke did not overlook this remark; instead, he transformed it into a satirical collective that gained popularity among the youth across the country. According to the CJP website, it serves as (the voice of the lazy and unemployed youth).
Cockroach Janata Party has a five-point manifesto
- If the Chief Justice comes to power, no Chief Justice shall be granted a seat in the Rajya Sabha as a reward following their retirement.
- If even a single valid vote is removed—whether in a state governed by the Chief Judicial Party or in a state governed by the opposition—the Election Commission shall face strict action, including arrest under the UAPA, as depriving citizens of their right to vote is tantamount to an act of terrorism.
- Women shall be granted 50 percent reservation.
- The licenses of all media publications owned by influential business tycoons shall be revoked.
- Any Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP) who defects from one party to another shall be disqualified from contesting elections or holding any government office for the next 20 years.
