India’s satirical online “Cockroach People’s Party” (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke is returning to New Delhi on Friday to take the viral social media campaign to the streets. The 30-year-old Boston University graduate created the parody party after Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly called young critics of the government “cockroaches”.
Dipke, a former political communications strategist who worked with the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has called for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation due to alleged irregularities in key examinations. Sonam Wangchuk, a prominent activist from India’s Ladakh region, will also join the protests.
Despite India’s strict social media regulations and some CJP handles being blocked, its Instagram account remains active with over 22 million followers – more than double the BJP’s nine million followers and surpassing the main opposition Congress Party’s 13 million. Dipke previously requested his followers not to gather at the airport upon his arrival but will now seek police permission for a peaceful protest on Saturday.