Gen-Z Activist and 2,000 Others Arrested at Indian Protest Demanding Election Chief Resign
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the online 'Cockroach Party,' was detained in New Delhi as the movement calls for electoral reforms.
An activist and founder of the Gen-Z 'Cockroach Party,' Abhijeet Dipke, was among approximately 2,000 individuals arrested in New Delhi on Saturday. The arrests occurred shortly before a planned protest demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Dipke, 31, was detained by police upon his arrival in the capital, where he was expected to lead the rally.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which Dipke founded after a viral social media post in May, has garnered tens of millions of online followers. The movement is advocating for electoral reforms ahead of upcoming state elections and is calling for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner due to alleged misconduct. Dipke, a graduate of Boston University, stated in a video shared on social media before his arrest, "This is a dictatorship. We are not afraid of you. Go ahead and arrest us. Victory to Mother India! Long live the revolution."
Two other leaders of the Cockroach Party were also detained while en route to Delhi. The party's demands have been amplified by opposition parties and critics who have raised concerns about the Election Commission's conduct. The movement has mobilized thousands of young supporters, drawing attention to issues such as unemployment and examination scandals, which they attribute to compromised institutions.
The 'cockroach' moniker originated from a remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who reportedly likened young critics of the government to "cockroaches" and "parasites." Dipke stated in an interview in July that he was taken aback by the comment, questioning how the "custodian of the constitution" could make such comparisons for individuals expressing opinions and criticizing the system.
The movement's social media presence expanded rapidly, largely fueled by Gen Z supporters who feel unheard by those in power. The 'cockroach' label has become a symbol for a generation that believes its concerns have been dismissed.