Cockroach Janata Party Explodes Online, Then Gets Blocked on X

The X account of the viral satire collective Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was withheld in India on Thursday, sparking debate over online satire and digital expression. The restriction came shortly after the platform reportedly surpassed the Instagram follower counts of both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress.

Before being withheld, the CJP handle had reportedly amassed over 201,000 followers on X , while its Instagram page surged to nearly 17 million followers , making it one of the fastest-growing political satire platforms in the country.

Users attempting to access the X account were shown a notice stating that it had been withheld in response to a legal request. Soon after, founder Abhijeet Dipke launched a new handle titled Cockroach Is Back , which gained over 16,000 followers within hours , alongside the slogan and hashtag “Cockroach Never Die.”

Dipke also alleged that attempts were made to hack the group’s Instagram account after the X restriction. Calling the move a “self-goal by the government,” he said the team would explore legal options.

The movement, which describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth,” gained popularity through memes, satire, and commentary on unemployment, exam paper leaks, education, and youth frustration.

CJP emerged following controversial remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing on May 15. The CJI later clarified that his comments had been misrepresented and were directed at individuals entering the legal profession with fake qualifications.

What began as a meme-driven satire page has now evolved into a broader digital protest movement, reigniting discussions around censorship, online humour, and political dissent in India.