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Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/> | Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.<ref name="bbc"/> The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the [[Adani Group]] and [[Reliance Industries]].<ref name="aljazeera"/> | ||
== Legal proceedings == | |||
In May 2026, Dipke filed a petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Government's order directing X to withhold access to the Cockroach Janta Party's account under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition argued that the blocking order was unlawful and sought restoration of the account. The Delhi High Court issued notice on the plea and directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Review Committee to examine the blocking order, while declining to grant interim relief.<ref name="quint">{{cite news |last=Varma |first=Aishwarya |title=Founded in Satire, Attacked by Lies: Debunking the Narratives Targeting CJP |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/cockroach-janta-party-narratives-misinformation-protests |work=The Quint |date=12 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="livelaw">{{cite web |title=Delhi High Court Directs MeiTY's Review Committee To Examine Abhijeet Dipke's Plea For Unblocking Cockroach Janta Party's X Account |url=https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/delhi-high-court-issues-notice-on-abhijeet-dipkes-plea-against-blocking-of-cockroach-janta-partys-x-account-536099 |work=Live Law |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref> | |||
Separately, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Allahabad High Court by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir seeking an investigation by agencies including the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate into Dipke and the Cockroach Janta Party. The petition alleged that the organisation was conducting an "engineered digital campaign" affecting public order and sought the blocking of its social media accounts. The petition also requested investigations under several security-related laws. The allegations reflected the petitioner's claims and had not been adjudicated by the court.<ref name="siasat">{{cite news |title=Plea in HC claims Cockroach Janta Party founder waging war against Centre |url=https://www.siasat.com/plea-in-hc-claims-cockroach-janta-party-founder-waging-war-against-centre-3479130/ |work=The Siasat Daily |date=29 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="lawchakra">{{cite news |title=Existential Threat To India's Stability: Plea In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against Cockroach Janta Party Founder Abhijeet Dipke |url=https://lawchakra.in/high-court/cockroach-janta-party-abhijeet-dipke/ |work=Law Chakra |date=1 June 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref> | |||
=== 2019 complaint === | |||
In August 2019, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), a legal advocacy organisation, submitted a complaint to Pune Police against Abhijeet Dipke concerning a series of social media posts made during the public debate following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The complaint alleged that Dipke's posts promoted narratives sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists and sought legal action under various provisions of Indian law. The complaint requested that the police register a case and investigate the matter.<ref name="statesman">{{cite news |last1=Luitel |first1=Bibhu |last2=Arora |first2=Kamna |title=EXCLUSIVE | Before Cockroach Janta Party went viral, founder Abhijeet Dipke faced complaint over Kashmir posts |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/exclusive-before-cockroach-janta-party-went-viral-founder-faced-complaint-over-kashmir-posts-1503596698.html |work=The Statesman |date=22 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref><ref name="jaipur">{{cite web |last=Tanwar |first=Pratham |title=The Alleged Pakistan Links of the CJP Founder |url=https://www.thejaipurdialogues.com/the-alleged-pakistan-links-of-the-cjp-founder/ |website=The Jaipur Dialogues |date=21 May 2026 |access-date=2026-07-22}}</ref> | |||
The complaint reportedly cited several posts in which Dipke commented on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the constitutional changes. According to media reports describing the complaint, the complainant alleged that these posts spread misinformation, encouraged separatist sentiment, and were prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity. The complaint also sought investigation under national security and criminal law provisions. | |||
In interviews given in 2026, Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory stated that despite repeated follow-ups with Pune Police over several years, he was not aware of any FIR having been registered in connection with the complaint. ''The Statesman'' reported that it contacted Dipke for comment but had not received a response.<ref name="statesman"/> | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{ | * {{Twitter|abhijeet_dipke|Abhijeet Dipke}} | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
Revision as of 15:41, 22 July 2026
Abhijeet Dipke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 29 September 1995[1] Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India[2] |
| Alma mater | Boston University (MSc)[3] |
| Occupation | Political communication strategist[4] |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Known for | Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party[5] |
Abhijeet Dipke (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP),[6] a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.[7][8][4]
Early life and education
Abhijeet Dipke was born on 29 September 1995 in Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Maharashtra.[1][2] His father Bhagwanrao Dipke is a retired engineer from MIDC, and his mother Anita Dipke is a homemaker.[1] He completed his primary education in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later studied at S.B. College.[1]
Dipke earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism in Pune.[4][2] His father had initially secured his admission in engineering through management quota, but Dipke did not appear for the first-year exams and later shifted to mass media.[1] He then moved to the United States and completed a Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University.[3][7]
Career
Work with Aam Aadmi Party
Between 2020 and 2023, Dipke worked as a volunteer with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) social media team.[4][2] During the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election, which AAP won under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership, he made meme-based digital content aimed at young voters.[4][3] He also served as a communication advisor for the Delhi government's education department.[9] He left AAP in 2023 to study abroad.[3]
Cockroach Janta Party
On 15 May 2026, Chief Justice Surya Kant said during a Supreme Court hearing: "There are youngsters like cockroaches, who do not get any employment or have any place in a profession. Some of them become media, some become social media, RTI activists, and they start attacking everyone."[8][5] The next day, Dipke posted on X: "What if all cockroaches come together?"[8] He then created the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online group, setting up a website and a Google Form for membership.[5][9]
Within days, the party had over 350,000 registered members.[8] By 21 May 2026, the CJP's Instagram account had crossed 19 million followers, more than any other political party in India.[4][10] The party's X account, which had over 200,000 followers, was later withheld in India "in response to a legal demand."[5][7] Dipke responded to this on X, calling it an "own goal."[5]
Dipke also claimed that attempts were made to hack the party's Instagram account. In a video message, he said: "Many attempts are being made to hack our account. I find it funny that these cowards are targeting young 20-21-year-old students."[5]
In an interview with India Today, Dipke said: "Someone who is there to safeguard our freedom of expression is comparing us with cockroaches and parasites for just putting up our opinion."[11]
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Dipke explained why he picked the cockroach as a symbol: "Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites. They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That's what India is today."[8]
Parents' concerns
Following the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janta Party, Dipke's parents expressed concerns about his entry into politics. His mother Anita Dipke told a Marathi news channel that they had lost sleep after learning about his move. His father Bhagwanrao said he wanted his son to take up a job in Pune or Delhi instead of entering politics.[10][1] His mother also stated: "He has been rebellious since childhood. Once he decides something, he goes ahead and does it. That is what worries us the most."[1]
Political positions
Dipke has called the Cockroach Janta Party a "platform" for young Indians who feel left out of mainstream politics.[7] The party's manifesto includes demands for a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet, and cancellation of licenses for media houses owned by the Adani Group and Reliance Industries.[8]
Legal proceedings
In May 2026, Dipke filed a petition before the Delhi High Court challenging the Central Government's order directing X to withhold access to the Cockroach Janta Party's account under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The petition argued that the blocking order was unlawful and sought restoration of the account. The Delhi High Court issued notice on the plea and directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Review Committee to examine the blocking order, while declining to grant interim relief.[12][13]
Separately, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the Allahabad High Court by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir seeking an investigation by agencies including the National Investigation Agency and Enforcement Directorate into Dipke and the Cockroach Janta Party. The petition alleged that the organisation was conducting an "engineered digital campaign" affecting public order and sought the blocking of its social media accounts. The petition also requested investigations under several security-related laws. The allegations reflected the petitioner's claims and had not been adjudicated by the court.[14][15]
2019 complaint
In August 2019, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), a legal advocacy organisation, submitted a complaint to Pune Police against Abhijeet Dipke concerning a series of social media posts made during the public debate following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The complaint alleged that Dipke's posts promoted narratives sympathetic to Kashmiri separatists and sought legal action under various provisions of Indian law. The complaint requested that the police register a case and investigate the matter.[5][16]
The complaint reportedly cited several posts in which Dipke commented on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the constitutional changes. According to media reports describing the complaint, the complainant alleged that these posts spread misinformation, encouraged separatist sentiment, and were prejudicial to India's sovereignty and integrity. The complaint also sought investigation under national security and criminal law provisions.
In interviews given in 2026, Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory stated that despite repeated follow-ups with Pune Police over several years, he was not aware of any FIR having been registered in connection with the complaint. The Statesman reported that it contacted Dipke for comment but had not received a response.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Despite his viral success, Abhijeet's parents worry about his entry into politics". Lokmat Times. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Abhijeet Dipke — The 30-year-old behind Cockroach Janta Party's viral rise". The Tribune. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Explained: Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, The Man Behind India's Most Unexpectedly Viral Political Satire?". ETV Bharat. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Who Is Abhijeet Dipke, Founder Of Online Sensation Cockroach Janta Party". NDTV. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 "Cockroach Janata Party's X (Twitter) account withheld in India". The Statesman. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "statesman" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Jain, Sanya (21 May 2026). "Who is Abhijeet Dipke, the Boston-educated founder of Cockroach Janata Party?". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "India has a new political superstar - a cockroach". BBC News. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 "'Cockroach Janta Party': Top Indian judge's comment sparks satire, protest". Al Jazeera. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Who Is Abhijeet Dipke: कोण आहेत 'कॉक्रोच जनता पार्टी'चे संस्थापक?". Times Now Marathi. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Cockroach Janta Party founder Dipke's parents averse to son's 'pursuit of politics'". The Tribune. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the man behind Cockroach Janta Party". India Today. 20 May 2026. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
- ↑ Varma, Aishwarya (12 June 2026). "Founded in Satire, Attacked by Lies: Debunking the Narratives Targeting CJP". The Quint. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Delhi High Court Directs MeiTY's Review Committee To Examine Abhijeet Dipke's Plea For Unblocking Cockroach Janta Party's X Account". Live Law. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Plea in HC claims Cockroach Janta Party founder waging war against Centre". The Siasat Daily. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ "Existential Threat To India's Stability: Plea In Allahabad High Court Seeks Action Against Cockroach Janta Party Founder Abhijeet Dipke". Law Chakra. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
- ↑ Tanwar, Pratham (21 May 2026). "The Alleged Pakistan Links of the CJP Founder". The Jaipur Dialogues. Retrieved 22 July 2026.