(Adnkronos) – The ‘cockroaches’ take to the streets in New Delhi. Abhijeet Dipke, creator of the satirical Indian movement ‘Cockroach People’s Party’ (Cockroach Janta Party), born out of protest last month and which has since gathered millions of followers on social media – 22 million on Instagram, more than double the 9.5 million followers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, and more than the 13.9 million followers of the main opposition party, the Congress Party – has announced that he intends to promote a “peaceful protest” in New Delhi to bring the viral social media campaign to the streets.
Dipke, a thirty-year-old Boston University graduate, is the creator of the online movement, “a political front of the youth, by the youth for the youth,” born after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant allegedly called some young people criticizing the government “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a hearing. Kant later stated that his words had been taken out of context and that he was referring to those who use fake academic credentials.
Dipke has called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is held responsible for alleged irregularities in several university exams. The CJP’s social media accounts have been repeatedly blocked in India.
Dipke has invited his supporters to welcome him at New Delhi airport and accompany him to ask the police for permission for a demonstration. “My friends and family fear that I will be arrested directly at the airport and then sent to prison,” he said. “But I hope that our country is still a democracy and that we will be granted permission to protest peacefully”.
