Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old founder of India's satirical "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP), has experienced a swift transformation from a graduate student to a public figure. Dipke, who recently completed a master's in public relations at Boston University, described his journey as a "rollercoaster ride," noting that he was largely unknown just a few months prior to his emergence in public discourse.
Dipke's activism gained national attention after he posted on X, "What if all cockroaches come together?" This was in response to a remark by India's Chief Justice Surya Kant, who had likened jobless young people to cockroaches. Although the Chief Justice later stated his comments were misinterpreted, the clarification did not fully quell public reaction.
Spurred by significant online engagement, Dipke, along with former colleagues and activists, launched the Cockroach Janta Party. The party's name is a play on the Chief Justice's remark and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Alongside widespread support, Dipke and the CJP faced online trolling from government supporters, and their website and X account were temporarily taken down in India.
Dipke stated that he received a notice from India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, citing Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which allows the government to block online information deemed to be in the "interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State." This action, coupled with being labeled a "national security threat" by his government, prompted Dipke to return to India.
"I took the decision to come back to India when I was called a national security threat by my own government. That really hurt me. Isn't my government supposed to stand by me when I'm abroad?" Dipke told the BBC. "I decided I need to go back to my country to show I'm not a national security threat. I love my country, just not in the way that you [the government] want."
Before his activism in the U.S., Dipke had spent three years working with the Aam Aadmi Party, an opposition party that originated from an anti-corruption movement. His return to India signifies his commitment to continuing his political engagement domestically, despite the challenges.
The CJP has been involved in protests concerning alleged irregularities in India's major examinations. Supporters have been seen holding Indian flags during demonstrations in New Delhi.
Authorities have reportedly used tear gas to disperse crowds during protests, leading to scenes of people running from the street.
