• Source:JND

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to urgently list petitions related to the controversial “Cockroach Janta Party” online movement, observing that there was no immediate urgency in the matter.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and VM Pancholi, stated that the petitions would be heard in due course.

When lawyers sought urgent listing, the Chief Justice responded that the matter should not be treated as requiring emergency attention and could be examined in due course. He also told the counsel, “Don’t take it so sentimentally.”

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Two separate Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were mentioned before the court:

One PIL seeks a CBI investigation into alleged fake advocates and fraudulent law degrees, and raises concerns about the circulation and monetisation of Supreme Court oral observations online.

Another PIL specifically refers to the “Cockroach Janta Party”, a satirical online movement that has recently gone viral.

Origin of the Controversy

The issue traces back to remarks made during a Supreme Court hearing involving concerns about fake law degrees and misuse of professional designations.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice criticised what he described as harmful institutional behaviour and used the expression “parasites of society.” He also described the plight of some young unemployed people as transforming into "like cockroaches" while performing online protests and criticising institutions.

The Chief Justice's remarks have created huge controversy on the internet, as several users claimed that unemployed youth have been insulted by the words. He later explained that his comments had been misrepresented, and those were made to address people using fake/bogus degrees.

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Rise of 'Cockroach Janta Party'

Following the controversy, a satirical online group calling itself the “Cockroach Janta Party” emerged on social media. The online club is characterised as a satirical and protest-based movement and is receiving much traction on social media, particularly among youngsters who use the medium to voice concerns regarding unemployment and governance.

Its rise is also attracting more writ petitions regarding the use of satirical and legal content on social media and the misuse of judicial comments on social media.


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