Cockroach Janta Party row reaches Supreme Court: CJI Surya Kant says ‘Don’t take it so sentimentally’
PTC Web Desk: What began as a courtroom remark has now snowballed into one of India’s most talked-about social media movements. On Monday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged lawyers not to react “so sentimentally” after the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on petitions linked to the viral “Cockroach Janta Party” phenomenon.
A Bench headed by the CJI, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and VM Pancholi, observed that there was “no such grave urgency” in the matter and said the petitions would be taken up through the regular process.
The issue reached the top court after advocates mentioned two PILs seeking intervention over the online campaign that erupted following controversial oral observations made during an earlier hearing.
During Monday’s proceedings, advocate NK Goswami argued that the social media trend was damaging the image of the judiciary. Responding to the concern, the CJI remarked, “Don’t take it so sentimentally.”
The controversy traces back to a recent Supreme Court hearing involving allegations of fake law degrees and concerns surrounding senior advocate designations.
During the exchange, CJI Surya Kant strongly criticised individuals allegedly entering the legal profession through forged credentials. While making observations on institutional attacks and social media campaigns, he reportedly used terms such as “parasites of society” and compared certain elements to “cockroaches.”
Soon after clips and quotes from the hearing surfaced online, many users interpreted the remarks as an insult directed at unemployed youth. Social media platforms quickly exploded with criticism, memes and satire.
Amid the backlash, the CJI later clarified that his comments were aimed only at those using “fake and bogus degrees” to enter professions and not at unemployed youngsters in general.
The controversy unexpectedly gave birth to a viral internet movement — the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP). Started by social media creator Abhijeet Dipke, the satirical campaign positioned itself as the “voice of the lazy and unemployed.” What initially appeared to be a meme trend soon evolved into a larger online protest attracting frustrated young Indians speaking about unemployment, inflation, governance and political privilege.
Within days, the movement gained massive traction on Instagram and other platforms through humorous political posters, parody manifestos and exaggerated campaign slogans. Its viral popularity has now pushed the issue into legal and political discussions.
One of the petitions filed in the Supreme Court sought a CBI investigation into alleged fake advocates and fraudulent law degrees. It also raised objections to the monetisation and circulation of courtroom observations on social media platforms.
Another PIL specifically targeted activities associated with the Cockroach Janta Party movement, alleging misuse of court remarks for online campaigns.
However, the Supreme Court made it clear that the matter did not require immediate intervention.
- With inputs from agencies
