A fresh twist has emerged in the rapidly growing “Cockroach Janta Party” movement after a Haryana-based lawyer approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking to officially register the political outfit separately from its original founder.
According to reports, Panipat lawyer Sudhir Jakhar submitted an application to the Election Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, identifying himself as the national convener of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The satirical online political movement was originally launched earlier this month by US-based founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Viral Political Movement Sparks Nationwide Attention
The Cockroach Janta Party quickly became one of India’s biggest online political trends after comments made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on unemployed youth triggered widespread outrage on social media.
During a recent observation, the CJI had remarked that some unemployed youngsters become “like cockroaches” and start attacking institutions through media, social media activism, and RTI campaigns.
The remarks sparked intense backlash online, leading to the creation of the satirical Cockroach Janta Party movement, which rapidly gained traction across social media platforms.
Its X account was later withheld in India, but the movement continued gaining popularity on Instagram and other platforms, reportedly attracting thousands of online supporters.
Lawyer Says Registration Needed to Protect Movement
Sudhir Jakhar said the group had requested founder Abhijeet Dipke to return to India and formally register the party. However, Dipke — currently pursuing higher studies at Boston University in the United States — allegedly declined.
Jakhar claimed that the decision to independently pursue registration was taken to prevent misuse of the party’s growing influence and branding.
“If someone else registered the name first and misused it, the entire movement would be lost,” Jakhar reportedly stated.
The application submitted before the ECI reportedly carries the party’s cockroach logo and identifies Jakhar as its national convener.
Party Objectives Differ From Original Online Demands
The objectives mentioned in Jakhar’s application reportedly focus on constitutional duties, democratic participation, environmental protection, legal awareness, transparency, communal harmony, and peaceful reforms.
However, these differ significantly from the Cockroach Janta Party’s original online demands, which included:
- No Rajya Sabha posts for retired Chief Justices
- Strict action against alleged vote deletions
- 50% reservation for women in Parliament and Cabinet
- Restrictions on political defections
- Cancellation of media licences owned by major industrialists
Can the Cockroach Symbol Be Approved?
Political observers note that even if the party secures registration as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party, its proposed cockroach symbol is unlikely to receive approval from the Election Commission.
Current ECI rules generally prohibit animal and insect symbols, with limited exceptions such as the lion and elephant.
The Election Commission’s free symbol list currently includes several unconventional symbols like a noodle bowl, pressure cooker, and baby walker — but no insect-related emblem.
Political Curiosity Around CJP Continues
The unusual rise of the Cockroach Janta Party reflects growing youth engagement through satire and digital political movements in India.
Though it began as an online protest campaign, the latest move toward official registration has sparked debate over whether the viral collective could evolve into a real political force in the future.
