Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Saturday alleged that the satirical "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP) campaign was part of a coordinated "cross-border influence operation" aimed at destabilising India and targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar claimed the campaign was being amplified through social media, bots and AI-driven narratives, and demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency.
The CJP campaign, reportedly launched by political strategist Dipke, gained traction online after controversy surrounding remarks allegedly made by Chief Justice Surya Kant regarding unemployed individuals. The Chief Justice later clarified that his comments were directed only at people using fake law degrees. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra also backed the demand for an NIA investigation and claimed many fake legal practitioners were operating in courts.
The Bengaluru police on Friday cautioned the public against participating in or circulating social media messages related to a proposed "peaceful human chain" programme allegedly organised by a group calling itself the "Cockroach Janata Party Karnataka" near Town Hall on May 24, stating that no permission had been granted for such an event.
In a press note, the Bengaluru City Police said a social media post that had gone viral invited people to gather in large numbers in front of Town Hall on Sunday for a peaceful human chain demonstration.
The police clarified that no individual, organisation or political party had applied for permission to hold the programme and that neither the police nor the GBA authorities had granted approval for the use of the venue.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police issued a warning against a proposed "Cockroach Janata Party Karnataka" human chain protest near Town Hall, stating that no permission had been granted and action could be taken against participants.
"It has come to notice that a post has been circulated on social media under the heading 'Cockroach Janata Party, Karnataka,' in which an invitation has been given to gather in large numbers in front of Town Hall on May 24 for the purpose of forming a peaceful human chain," the police said.
According to the statement, protests, sit-in demonstrations and rallies are not permitted at locations other than Freedom Park, in line with the Karnataka High Court's order dated August 1, 2022.
The police said any gathering in front of Town Hall in violation of the order would amount to a breach of the court's directions.
The department advised the public not to knowingly or unknowingly forward or share the viral message on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and X, and urged people not to assemble near Town Hall.
The viral poster, translated from Kannada, urged supporters to show "the strength of cockroaches not just online but also on the streets" by participating in a peaceful human chain at Town Hall in Bengaluru at 11 a.m. on May 24.
The poster appealed to "all cockroaches and fans of the Cockroach Janata Party" to participate in large numbers to demonstrate their strength and send a message to what it described as a self-serving administration.
It listed several grievances, including claims that "youth have no future," "students are burdened with the NEET examination," "life has become difficult because of price rise," "our votes are being stolen," and allegations that money collected from the people was being sent abroad.
The message further stated: "There are no leaders here, we ourselves are the leaders. There is no organisation here; people joining hands itself is the organisation."
Police said the advisory had been issued in the public interest to create awareness about the law.
The X account of Cockroach Janata Party, a satirical digital outfit that emerged last week and quickly gained traction on social media, was withheld in India on Thursday.
Shortly afterwards, another handle surfaced — "Cockroach is Back" — carrying the tagline: "Cockroaches Don't Die."
