India’s Internet has got a new political power. Meet the “Cockroach Public Party,” a groundbreaking Gen Z online movement built around a very enduring mascot: the cockroach.
On Tuesday night, the party’s Instagram page hit 1 million followers and has now crossed 3 million followers in a matter of hours.
What is cockroach movement?
It all started on May 15 when the Chief Justice of India, speaking at a case hearing about fake degrees, criticized India’s youth – comparing some of them to “parasites” and “cockroaches”.
He had said, “There are youth like cockroaches who do not get any employment… Some of them become media, some become social media, some become RTI activists and they start attacking everyone.”
On the same day, Abhijit Dubke, founder and convenor of the Cockroach Janata Party, asked, “What would happen if all the cockroaches come together?”
On Instagram and X, users are posting memes calling themselves cockroaches. Several opposition party members and former civil servants from India have expressed their desire to join the online party.
The immediate support for what started as an internet joke is reminiscent of the many Gen Z movements that took place at the helm of governments in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. However, Dipke has no such plans.
“Let me make it very clear. Do not insult or underestimate India’s Gen Z by making such comparisons. The youth of this country are much more mature, aware and politically aware than many give them credit for. They understand their constitutional rights and will express their dissent through peaceful and democratic means,” he wrote in a post on Tuesday.
The movement is now planning its first virtual conference for the more than 350,000 so-called party members who have signed up.
CJP blames BJP for hacking attempts
Dipke and other party members said that several attempts were made to hack the party’s Instagram account. Responding to the attacks, Dipke posted a reel accusing “vishwaguru” or “global leaders” of being afraid of 20 to 21 year olds.
This was a veiled attack on Indian Prime Minister Modi, who has often said that India has become a “world leader” under the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rule.
In another post about the hacking attempt, the caption read: “BJP afraid of cockroaches?”
The central ruling party has not yet responded to the formation of the satire group.