New Delhi: Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of Cockroach Janta Party has been facing casteist remarks on social media after he revealed he was a Dalit in a tweet on Thursday.
Last week, Dipke, an Indian student in Boston University in the US, started a parody party prompted by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s remarks.
During a hearing, the CJI had referred to the unemployed youth of India as “cockroaches” and “parasites”. He later clarified saying that the media had misquoted him.
However, this sparked a discourse on social media, and in this whirlwind, Dipke also posted on X urging people to claim their identity as “cockroaches”. Soon, the parody party turned into an online political movement. Lakhs of people registered themselves on the website. Instagram followers rose to over 16 million and CJP’s X account was also withheld in India as the popularity kept growing.
‘Aa gaya D card’
As its movement picked up momentum, Dipke single handedly brought out a manifesto. Party anthem was launched and politicians such as Mohua Moitra, Kirti Azad supported the CJP.
However, there were also questions raised on CJP’s existence. Users on social media asked if it will remain a satire or the party will come into reality. A user, Shut Up Counsel, also raised questions on CJP’s stand on Dalit issues.
“But there is an important thing that you haven’t answered so far said anything on the issue of Reservation nor voicing out your support for the Dalit Causes and Social Justice,” the tweet read.
An hour later, Dipke, who has been actively posting and replying to posts and reels on social media, said, “I am a Dalit myself. I hope that will answer all your questions.”
Since his post, the 30-year-old public relation student from Maharashtra has been facing casteism on X.
Anuraadha Tewari, a Mumbai-based writer and director, wrote on X, “So the self-proclaimed Gen Z leader is against Merit”.
Another user, who goes by the name Sassy Soul, said, “Aa gya D card (here comes the Dalit card)”.
ImHydro, an account with nearly 20 thousand followers, posted a photo with abusive language.
An account, Hindutva Knight, wrote, “So? You want to become PM with -40 votes?”
However, the trolling of Dipke was called out by users of social media.
An account, Laalsalan wrote, “The amount of hate UCs harbour for dalits is disgusting.”
Also read: Cockroach Janta Party has state-wise offshoots. All of them amplify demands with AI visuals
Plans for CJP
Earlier this week, Dipke told ThePrint over the phone how young people are tired of “outdated” political parties.
He was receiving constant messages from young people not to let CJP go to waste.
“They wrote to me, do not back off!” Dipke said.
CJP began as a satire, and is now “becoming something bigger”.
“People are messaging us saying they’ve lost hope in both the government and the Opposition”, said Dipke, a native of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
However, Dipke has plans for the Cocokroach Janta Party. He wants to create an online party that encourages young people, especially Gen Z, to become politically active and guides supporters toward activism through steps such as filing RTIs to hold governments accountable.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)