India’s Cockroach Account Ignored Gen Z Concerns, Until It Disappeared Amid Alleged Hacking and Threats to Founder

A viral social media account focusing on concerns of India’s Gen Z has come under attack. The founder alleges hacking and threats to his family after the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP) account won millions of followers disenchanted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

The CJP account garnered over 22 million Instagram followers within days, reflecting mounting unease among young users on issues such as unemployment and exam question leaks. Founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X that the website was taken down by the government, though this could not be independently verified. The government has not publicly confirmed any action against the website or Instagram account.

The surge in popularity of the CJP contrasts with recent electoral victories by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in key states, strengthening its position after over a decade in power nationally.

Digital rights group the Internet Freedom Foundation criticized the alleged blocking of the X account as an arbitrary attempt to curb free speech. Federal minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the phenomenon, stating that those who seek followers from outside India are not heroes of India.

A survey by CVoter found concerns flagged by the CJP resonated with younger Indians, with over 60% aged between 18 and 24 feeling anxious about their future. Six in ten respondents said it reflected frustrations over unemployment and governance issues such as exam paper leaks, including one for a recent medical entrance test affecting about 2.3 million candidates.

Joblessness among India’s urban youth stands at 14%, significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate of about 5%. A majority of survey respondents said any state action to block social media platforms would not be justified. Activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan suggested that if the online movement gains adherents, it will have to organize and mobilize on the ground.