- Shashi Tharoor criticises blocking of CJP account on X
- Congress MP calls takedown “disastrous and deeply unwise”
- Satirical platform crossed 19 million Instagram followers in days
- Tharoor urges Opposition to connect with frustrated youth
GG News Bureau
NEW DELHI, 22nd May: Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has questioned the blocking of the X account of the satirical platform Cockroach Janata Party, calling the move “disastrous and deeply unwise”.
The Congress leader said democracies require space for dissent, satire and humour, especially for young people expressing frustration with the political system.
In a post on X, Tharoor said he was “incredibly intrigued” by the rapid rise of the Cockroach Janata Party, which has gained massive traction online within days of its launch.
He noted that the platform had crossed more than 19 million followers on Instagram while its X account, which had over two lakh followers, was withheld in India following a legal demand.
“I understand the frustrations of the youth and see why they are resonating with it,” Tharoor wrote.
Calling for restoration of the account, he added, “There should be an outlet for the youth to express their feelings and so, let CJP’s account function instead of shutting it down.”
The Congress MP further said that democracies need outlets for “dissent, humour, satire and even frustration”.
Tharoor also expressed uncertainty about the future of the movement but hoped the young people behind it would channel their energy into mainstream politics or democratic participation.
“I hope the youngsters behind it find a way to bring this energy into mainstream politics or perhaps express it through their vote to be a voice of change,” he wrote.
The senior Congress leader also advised Opposition parties to recognise the growing appeal of such movements among young voters.
“This is an opportunity that the Opposition must seize,” he said.
The Cockroach Janata Party surfaced online less than a week ago and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
The satirical platform describes itself as “a political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth” and calls itself the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed.”
The initiative was created by Abhijeet Dipke, who refers to himself as the “Founding President” of the platform.
Its satirical manifesto includes proposals such as banning post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for former chief justices, implementing 50 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and imposing a 20-year ban on political defectors.
The blocking of the platform’s X account has sparked debate online over satire, free expression and digital regulation in India.
