Cockroach Janta Party founder alleges Instagram hack as social media crackdown intensifies

Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the satirical youth-led political movement that has rapidly surged in online popularity, has alleged fresh action targeting the group’s social media presence.

Dipke claimed on May 23 that his personal Instagram account had been hacked, while the party’s backup Instagram handle was also briefly taken down before being restored hours later.

The latest development comes just hours after Dipke publicly said he had lost access to his personal Instagram account, triggering concern among supporters of the internet-driven movement that has dominated political conversations online in recent days.

According to screenshots shared by Dipke, multiple attempts to recover his Instagram account through Meta’s recovery process were unsuccessful.

Each time he selected the “recover it now” option, the platform reportedly displayed the message: “We locked your Instagram account for your safety. To recover your account, you'll need to verify your identity and create a new password.”

Dipke said the same message continued to appear despite repeated attempts, leaving him unable to regain control of the account.

“CJP's backup Instagram account also taken down,” Dipke posted on X while sharing an earlier message announcing that his personal Instagram account had been compromised.

He later posted a strongly worded message on X, alleging a broader crackdown on CJP-linked accounts.

“Crackdown on Cockroach Janta Party. Instagram page hacked. My personal Instagram hacked. Twitter account withheld. Back up account also taken down,” he wrote.

“Please note that we currently do not have access to any of our platforms. Any post made after this should not be considered an official statement from the Cockroach Janta Party,” Dipke added.

X suspension and quick return

The controversy follows another setback for the party earlier this week, when CJP’s X handle was withheld in India.

The group, however, quickly returned with a new account titled Cockroach Is Back, where it mocked critics and suggested attempts were being made to silence the movement because of its growing popularity.

One post read, “You thought you can get rid of us? Lol,” while another claimed action was taken after CJP overtook major political parties on Instagram.

CJP’s popularity explodes

What began just days ago as an internet satire campaign has rapidly transformed into one of India’s fastest-growing digital political movements.

CJP recently overtook the Bharatiya Janata Party on Instagram followers and later surpassed the Indian National Congress, becoming the platform’s most-followed political outfit within days of its launch.

Its rise has been driven largely by Gen Z users, memes, digital activism, and frustration over unemployment, exam paper leaks and political accountability.

Political backlash intensifies

The movement has also triggered fierce political reactions online.

Supporters of the ruling BJP have labeled the group a potential “threat to national security”, with some social media users alleging possible ISI links and coordinated support from opposition parties.

At the same time, opposition leaders, activists and public figures have openly engaged with or backed the movement, intensifying political debate around CJP’s sudden rise.

How CJP began

The Cockroach Janta Party was founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston-based former social media campaign worker associated with the Aam Aadmi Party during the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections.

The movement emerged after controversial remarks allegedly made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who was accused online of comparing unemployed youths and activists to “cockroaches” and “parasites”.

Though the Chief Justice later clarified that his remarks had been misquoted, the backlash quickly snowballed into a major online campaign.

Operating under the slogan “Secular, Socialist, Democratic, Lazy,” CJP describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth”.

Its manifesto mixes satire with serious demands, including electoral reforms, stronger institutional accountability, women’s reservation, and action against exam-related irregularities, including the NEET controversy.

What next?

Even as its social media accounts face repeated restrictions, CJP’s follower base continues to expand, cementing its place at the centre of India’s digital political discourse.

Whether it evolves into a formal political organization or remains an internet-powered protest movement, its rapid rise and repeated clashes with major platforms are likely to keep it firmly in the national spotlight.