Anurag Kashyap, Dia Mirza follow viral Cockroach Janta Party on Instagram

From Anurag Kashyap to Dia Mirza, several celebrities have joined the online buzz around the viral Cockroach Janta Party. Here's why the satirical movement is taking over social media.

In Short

• The satirical group was launched online by Abhijeet Dipke on May 16
• It emerged after remarks likening unemployed youngsters to cockroaches sparked outrage
• The campaign reportedly crossed 10 million followers in five days online

The satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) continues to gain momentum online, with several film and television personalities now joining the social media buzz around the viral campaign. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, actors Dia Mirza, Esha Gupta and Fatima Sana Shaikh, along with director Kunal Kohli and comedian Kunal Kamra, are among those following the party’s official Instagram handle.

The online movement, which began as a satirical response to remarks made by Chief Justice Surya Kant, has rapidly evolved into one of the most talked-about social media trends in recent days. Television personalities including Umar Riaz, Uorfi Javed, Abhishek Nigam and Punjabi singer-actor Himanshi Khurana have also joined the online chatter surrounding the fictional political outfit.

What is the Cockroach Janta Party?

The Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, was founded by Abhijeet Dipke , a 30 -year-old Boston University graduate and launched online on May 16. What started as an internet joke quickly snowballed into a viral political satire campaign across Instagram and X. The group has crossed 10 million followers within five days.

The campaign emerged after remarks made during a May 15 hearing by Chief Justice Surya Kant drew criticism online. Referring to unemployed youth and social media activists, he reportedly said that some youngsters were “like cockroaches” who attacked everyone online. The comments triggered a wave of memes, reactions and satirical content across social platforms.

However, the CJI also clarified his statement, saying “I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites. It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India.”

Why is the campaign going viral?

Much of the campaign’s popularity stems from its tongue-in-cheek political messaging and meme-friendly tone. Young users across Instagram and X began jokingly declaring themselves “eligible candidates” for leadership roles, fuelling the trend further.

The party’s manifesto has also added to the online curiosity. It describes itself as “secular, socialist, democratic, lazy” and includes proposals such as a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for chief justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament, and a 20-year election ban for defecting MLAs and MPs.

Take a look at the Manifesto:

Which celebrities are following the movement?

Apart from film personalities, several television and digital creators including Nagma Mirajkar, Purav Jha, Shafaq Naaz and Sheizaan Khan are also following the page, adding to the visibility of the campaign.

What began as a satirical reaction online has now turned into a full-fledged viral social media phenomenon, powered by celebrity engagement, meme culture and political humour.

- Ends