Cockroach Janta Party’s X Account Blocked Amid Controversy, Delhi Faces Heatwave Warning

The satirical political movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party has had its account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) blocked in India due to a legal request. This campaign, which describes itself as a youthful political initiative, was launched by Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old strategist from Pune, in response to comments made by Chief Justice Surya Kant.

Since its inception on Saturday, the Cockroach Janta Party has rapidly gained traction, amassing approximately 15.5 million followers on Instagram, outpacing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s 8.8 million. The movement aims to engage the younger population of India, advocating for their concerns and aspirations. Dipke, previously part of the social media team for the Aam Aadmi Party, has positioned this campaign as a platform for youth-centric dialogue.

Following the blocking of the account, Dipke raised questions regarding the motives behind this action, particularly as it coincided with their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This demand arose after the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions was cancelled due to a paper leak, a situation that has caused significant unrest among students and their families.

Dipke has characterized the government’s decision to restrict their online presence as an “own goal,” suggesting it reflects poorly on authorities who should be fostering open dialogue rather than stifling dissent. The blocking of the account highlights ongoing tensions in Indian politics, where dissenting voices are often met with resistance.

In other political news, the Calcutta High Court has intervened in a case involving Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress. The court has instructed the West Bengal Police not to take any coercive action against him until the end of July concerning remarks he made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during election rallies. This decision has been viewed as a protection for Banerjee amidst rising political tensions in the state.

Source: scroll.in