NEW DELHI: A viral social media account “Cockroach Janta Party” focusing on the concerns of India’s Gen Z has come under attack, with its founder alleging hacking and threats to his family after it won millions of followers disenchanted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The satirical account garnered over 22 million Instagram followers within days, reflecting mounting unease among young users over issues like unemployment and leaked exam questions.
“The government has taken down our iconic website,” founder Abhijeet Dipke wrote on X, adding that the group’s X account had been withheld in India, its Instagram account compromised and his family threatened.
The government has not publicly confirmed any action against the accounts. India’s home and IT ministries did not respond to requests for comment.
The account’s popularity contrasts with recent state electoral victories by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. On social media, federal minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the phenomenon.
“Those who are heroes of the anti-India gang cannot be heroes of India,” Rijiju said on X. “We have complete faith in Indian democracy and Indian youth.”
Reacting to the remark, Dipke posted a demographic analysis of his followers, saying, “More than 94 per cent of the audience is from India.” On X, he asked, “Why is a union minister, Kiren Rijiju, labelling Indian youth as Pakistani?”
A CVoter survey found the concerns flagged by the account resonated, as over 60pc of respondents aged 18 to 24 felt anxious about their future.
Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2026
