Bengaluru Police deny nod for CJP protest; outfit launched in Pakistan too

Ahead of a proposed “human chain protest” called by the satirical online outfit ‘Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) Karnataka’, Bengaluru Police on Friday (May 22) issued a public warning asking citizens not to participate in or circulate messages related to the gathering.

The digital party had shared posters calling for a peaceful human chain protest near Town Hall on Sunday (May 24). The poster urged “all cockroaches and fans of the Cockroach Janata Party” to gather and “demonstrate our power and send out a message to the self-decepted administration.”

Also read: Cockroach Janta Party linked to AAP? Founder Abhijeet Dipke’s past ties raise questions

With the tagline, “Not just online, it’s time to show power in the streets,” the poster featured cockroaches marching towards the Vidhana Soudha holding placards reading “Namma Hakku” (Our rights). The message also stated: “There are no leaders here; we ourselves are the leaders. There is no organisation here; people joining hands itself is the organisation.”

‘Permission not granted’

In response, Bengaluru Police clarified that no permission had been granted for such a demonstration and that no organisers had sought approval either from the police or the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Citing a Karnataka High Court order, police said protests, rallies and sit-in demonstrations are permitted only at Freedom Park and not at public locations such as Town Hall.

“The public is advised not to knowingly or unknowingly forward or share the said message through social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, etc., and not to gather near Town Hall,” the Bengaluru City Police said in its statement, adding that the advisory was issued in public interest to create awareness about the law.

Why are ‘Cockroaches’ protesting?

The Cockroach Janata Party emerged online on May 16 and quickly went viral across social media platforms. The satirical movement was founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a former political strategist associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The group has since launched its own manifesto and website.

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

The movement traces its origins to controversial remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, where young unemployed Indians were allegedly referred to as “cockroaches”. The CJI later clarified that his comments had been misquoted by sections of the media.

Since then, the insect — symbolising resilience, survival and resistance — has become the face of a growing internet-led satire movement attracting millions of followers within days.

CJP in Pakistan

Interestingly, the viral movement has now crossed borders, with similar satirical outfits emerging in Pakistan as well. Using logos and themes resembling India’s CJP, several parody groups such as “Cockroach Awami Party”, “Cockroach Awami League” and “Muttahida Cockroach Movement” have surfaced online and gained traction on social media.

The bio of one such account, Cockroach Awami Party, reads: “A political front of the youth, by the youth, for Pakistan.” Another account describes itself as: “Jinhein system ne cockroach samjha, hum unhi awaam ki awaaz hain” (We are the voice of those people whom the system considered cockroaches).

Also read: Cockroach Janta Party: Is govt wary of Gen-Z's protest power?

Unlike the Indian version, however, the Pakistani counterparts appear far more decentralised, with multiple independent creators launching their own separate versions of the satirical movement.

Meanwhile, the original CJP’s X account was withheld in India earlier this week, after which a new handle titled “Cockroach is Back” appeared online with the slogan: “Cockroaches Don’t Die.”