New Delhi: “Cockroaches never die,” declared Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday after the Cockroach Janta Party’s website was taken down — a move the founder blamed on the BJP-led Centre and described as “dictatorial” as the meme-fuelled movement vowed to regroup.
Dipke said on X that nearly 10 lakh people had registered on the site before it was taken down. He described the movement as a Millennial and Gen Z platform for satirical political commentary and said the takedown showed the establishment was unnerved by its mix of humour and dissent.
“The government has taken down our iconic website. 10 Lakh cockroaches had signed up on our website has members. 6 Lakh cockroaches had signed a petition to demand the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan,” Dipke posted on X, referring to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He added: “Why is the government so scared of cockroaches? But this dictatorial behaviour is opening the eyes of India’s youth. Our only crime is we were demanding a better future for ourselves. But you can’t get rid of us that easily. We’re working on a new home right now. Cockroaches never die.”
The claim about the petition comes amid nationwide anger over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, which has sparked protests and deep frustration among lakhs of medical aspirants. Dipke said six lakh members of the Cockroach Janta Party had signed a petition demanding Pradhan’s resignation in connection with the examination controversy.
Earlier on Saturday, Dipke also alleged that his Instagram account and the party’s social media pages had been hacked, a charge that amplified attention around the fledgling group and drew intense online engagement from supporters and critics alike.
The Cockroach Janta Party trend began after a row erupted over a remark attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a hearing on a plea for senior designation. The alleged “cockroach” line spread fast online and catalysing a meme-driven movement that mixes humour, criticism and anti-establishment commentary among younger users.
CJI Surya Kant later said his words had been misquoted and that he was criticising those who enter professions with “fake and bogus degrees.” His clarification came, but by then the phrase had already taken on a life of its own online.
