‘Don’t take it so sentimentally’: SC on plea against Cockroach Janta Party

The Supreme Court on Monday (May 25) refused to grant an urgent hearing on a plea seeking a probe into allegations regarding "fake advocates and activities" associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical digital outfit that recently took social media by storm.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked advocate NK Goswami, appearing for the petitioner, not to take the issue "so sentimentally”. Goswami submitted that despite the CJI's clarification, a distorted and malicious narrative was continuing.

"Don't take it so sentimentally," the CJI said.

Overnight sensation

What began as an impulsive satirical experiment rapidly evolved into one of India’s most talked-about anti-establishment political phenomena.

The Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Boston-based political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke, became an overnight sensation. Millions flocked to the CJP’s social media handles as an outlet for frustration.

Also Read: Cockroach Janata Party: How a satire became Gen Z’s latest political movement | Capital Beat

By May 21, the CJP’s Instagram page had amassed over 18 million followers, surpassing even the 8.8 million of the BJP’s Instagram page.

Issue of fake law degrees

Another advocate submitted that they were seeking a CBI probe into the issue of fake law degrees, and said courtroom exchanges cannot be used for commercial purposes.

The CJI replied, "There is no such grave urgency. We will see."

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The petition has also sought action against those involved in the alleged commercial exploitation of oral observations made during court proceedings. It sought an investigation into alleged fake advocates practising law using fraudulent degrees.

Expressing concern over the misuse of judicial proceedings, the plea claimed that remarks and observations made during the court proceedings were being used for publicity campaigns.

Controversy that led to birth of CJP

The CJP surfaced recently amid a controversy over remarks attributed to CJI Surya Kant on "cockroaches" and "parasites" during a court hearing on May 15 on a plea concerning senior designation for a lawyer.

On May 16, the CJI issued a strongly-worded clarification of his remarks, saying he was "pained" by media reports suggesting he had criticised the youth.

Also Read: ‘We want jobs, not insults’: Madurai youth stage ‘Cockroach Rally’

He had emphasised that his remarks were specifically directed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees" and were "misquoted by a section of the media".

(With agency inputs)