CPI(M) says CJP reflects youth frustration, condemns crackdown on movement

The CPI-Marxist has condemned the crackdown on the Cockroach Janata Party, labelling it a sign of intolerance and authoritarianism by the BJP government towards dissent.

The CPI-Marxist on Sunday condemned the crackdown on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), saying the online movement was a reflection of the growing frustration of youth over unemployment and their disaffection with mainstream politics.

Addressing a press conference after the party's Central Committee meeting, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said the party opposes the ban on CJP social media handles and attacks on its creator, Abhijeet Dipke, describing them as signs of intolerance towards dissent.

The party, in its communique, condemned ''the ban on the social media handles of the CJP and the attack on Abhijeet Dipke'', saying it demonstrated the ''authoritarian character'' of the BJP and its refusal to tolerate dissent.

''The huge online support for the CJP reflects the prevailing discontent against the BJP government on issues such as unemployment,'' its statement said.

It alleged that instead of addressing concerns of the youth, the government was ''branding 'cockroaches' too as anti-national.''.

Responding to a question on whether the movement could have a wider impact on Indian politics, Baby said the phenomenon needed to be studied seriously as it reflected changing forms of political expression in the younger generation.

''This is a question we need to study more closely; we have not undertaken such a study,'' Baby said.

He referred to recent public discussions and interviews involving Dipke and noted that the 30-year-old had gained attention through social media and media interactions.

''They are thinking in a different way. They are reacting in a different way, which is very interesting,'' he said.

''They are working in a peculiar manner. Maybe their language is of Gen Z or Gen Alpha. So, we have to study this,'' he added.

The CPI(M) leader linked the rise of such online movements to unemployment and wider dissatisfaction with governance.

''There is no doubt that with the rising unemployment, the youth are very much frustrated with the way in which the Union government and most of the state governments are behaving,'' he said.

The CPI(M) has in recent weeks voiced support for the CJP as an expression of youth discontent, while framing the controversy around the movement as part of a wider debate on dissent and democratic freedoms.

The original X handle of the CJP was withheld in India on May 21, following which the group resurfaced with a new handle, 'Cockroach is Back', which has 2,27,000 members.

The movement has drawn attention for its unconventional symbolism and digital mobilisation strategy, with supporters describing the ''cockroach'' identity as a form of protest.

The outfit had launched a campaign seeking Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged systemic failures in the education sector and the NEET-UG 2026 paper ''leak''.

PTI AO VN.

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