What if all cockroaches come together?” Abhijeet Dipke posted on X on May 16, while studying in Boston. Dipke, who had participated in an Anna Hazare stir while still in school, was responding to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s courtroom remarks likening some unemployed youngsters to cockroaches.Though the CJI later clarified he had been referring to fake lawyers with fraudulent degrees, Dipke’s satirical post had already captured the frustration of many.Also read: ‘If you had not called us ‘cockroaches’…’: Abhijit Dipke’s message to CJI Surya KantHours after his post, he announced: “Launching a new platform for all the “cockroaches” out there. If you wish to join, hit the link below. Eligibility criteria: • Unemployed • Lazy • Chronically online • Ability to rant professionally.”
Dalit identity, at front & centre of protest
That was the birth of Cockroach Janta Party. It didn’t matter that Dipke was over 11,000 km away, completing his Master of Science in Public Relations from Boston University.
CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates
He was mocked and doubts were raised about the platform, which began almost as a joke. Even a week after the CJP’s formation, there was no clear path. As criticism grew and calls for him intensified to return to India to bring what he started to a logical conclusion, Dipke announced he would come back and hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar on June 6, demanding Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.By then, CJP had already made waves, first because its social media handles had gathered millions of followers in a matter of days, and then because its X handle was blocked in India on May 21 over “national security concerns”.Dipke is no stranger to the ways of social media. Born in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (earlier known as Aurangabad), the 30-year-old went to Pune to study engineering but switched to journalism. Dipke’s father Bhagwanrao retired as a deputy engineer in MIDC, mother Anita Dipke, is a homemaker, while his elder sister, Varsha, is based in US. According to the family members, Abhijeet was drawn to public causes as early as Class VIII, during the Anna Hazare movement, when he wore the “Main Anna Hazare” cap during protests.He also started working with Aam Aadmi Party in its social media team, with focus on the youth and Instagram. He rose to become the party’s national social media coordinator and was particularly active in the 2020 Delhi and 2022 Punjab assembly polls before leaving for US in 2023.It was also on social media that Dipke answered questions on social justice and reservation.When a social-media user asked him about his stance on Dalit causes, Dipke replied, “I am a Dalit myself. I hope that will answer all your questions.”And it is his Dalit identity that he kept at the forefront throughout the protest. When he landed at the Delhi airport on the morning of June 6, he walked out holding a copy of My Autobiography – a compilation of Dr B R Ambedkar’s speeches, letters, and writings – above his head.On Saturday, after getting news that Pradhan resigned, Dipke again held up a portrait of Ambedkar, following up “Bharat Mata ki Jai” with a full-throated “Jai Jai Jai Jai Jai Bhim”.Hours after the resignation was announced, he changed his X display picture from that of Sonam Wangchuk’s to the Constitution of India.According to those who knew him during his AAP days, this is not surprising.“He has always been vocal about his identity and social justice. Before he became the face of this movement, he was mostly behind the scenes, pushing out clever memes and posts for AAP that gained traction for the party,” said an AAP member who has worked with Dipke in the past.Memes have been the Cockroach Janta Party’s main firepower.Throughout the protest, CJP has posted tongue-in-cheek, and sometimes cheeky, memes, photos and short videos for its core constituency – Gen Z.After the National Testing Agency announced the termination of services of 47 officials on Friday, Dipke posted a photo of a small fish in a hand.When NCP (SP) national spokesperson Anish Gawande took Dipke to a doctor and posted a photo of Dipke inside a clinic getting a shot for his fever and persistent cough, he replied: “That was more of a stabbing than an injection. You seriously need to change your doctor, Anish. Will be back to Jantar Mantar tonight!” And after CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka held a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, where they announced that the agitation had been withdrawn, Dipke posted: Going to take a nap. See you all in a little while. Jai Hind, Jai Bhim.
