Cockroach Janta Party says website taken down, founder slams 'dictatorial' govt

The Cockroach Janta Party, the internet’s latest viral political satire movement born out of anger over competitive exams and unemployment, claimed on Saturday that its website and several social media accounts had been taken down, with founder Abhijeet Dipke accusing the BJP-led Centre of acting in a “dictatorial” manner.

Dipke announced on X that the platform’s website, cockroachjantaparty.org, had gone offline amid what he described as a broader crackdown on the movement’s digital presence.

“The government has taken down our iconic website. 10 lakh cockroaches had signed up on our website, 6 lakh cockroaches had signed a petition to demand the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan,” Dipke wrote.

“Why is the government so scared of cockroaches? But this dictatorial behaviour is opening the eyes of India's youth. Our only crime is that we were demanding a better future for ourselves,” he added.

The post quickly spread across social media platforms, further amplifying the unusual rise of the “Cockroach Janta Party”, which has blended internet humour, political satire and frustration among students into a rapidly growing online movement.

CLAIMS OF HACKS AND ACCOUNT REMOVALS

Dipke later claimed that several digital platforms linked to the movement had either been hacked, withheld or removed.

“Please note that we currently do not have access to any of our platforms. Any post made after this should not be considered an official statement from the Cockroach Janta Party,” he posted.

Listing the alleged actions against the organisation, he wrote: “Crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party. Instagram page hacked, my personal Instagram hacked, Twitter account withheld, backup account also taken down.”

In another post, Dipke said the movement would continue despite the alleged disruption.

“You can hack and withhold the accounts, but you cannot hack this movement. We are not going to stop, and we will keep raising our voice against this autocracy.”

“Every attack makes cockroaches stronger.”

He also claimed the group was preparing to relaunch itself online.

“We’re working on a new home right now. Cockroaches never die,” he wrote.

MOVEMENT GREW DURING NEET ROW

The Cockroach Janta Party gained traction during the nationwide outrage surrounding the alleged NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which triggered protests and frustration among lakhs of medical aspirants.

The platform positioned itself as a voice for students angry over competitive examinations, unemployment and the pressure surrounding government recruitment processes.

According to Dipke, nearly 10 lakh users had registered on the platform before the website went offline, while around six lakh supporters had signed an online petition seeking the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET controversy.

The movement’s unusual name also drew attention after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, during a court hearing, compared people entering professions with fake degrees to “cockroaches” and “parasites”.

The Chief Justice later clarified that his remarks were directed only at those using fake or bogus degrees to enter professions and not at the country’s youth.

ONLINE SUPPORT SURGES

The controversy surrounding the website takedown and alleged account restrictions triggered fresh online support for the movement, with many users sharing screenshots, memes and messages backing the campaign.

Despite the disruption, Dipke insisted the movement was far from over.

“We are working on a plan to get this movement to continue sustainably and take it to the next level. Will share more soon,” he wrote.

“Cockroaches never die.”

- Ends