The Instagram accounts of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke were hacked, while the outfit’s backup account was also taken down from the social media platform as of Saturday, May 23.
The developments came just two days after the satirical digital outfit’s X account was withheld in India on May 21. Its official website has also been taken offline, triggering concerns among supporters over increasing action against online dissent.
Dipke said the CJP’s X handle was withheld in India while he was giving an interview to the BBC. Following the hacking of the organisation’s Instagram account, he clarified that any posts made after the announcement should not be treated as official statements from the group.
The founder, who had recently demanded the resignation of the Education Minister over a paper leak controversy, alleged that instead of action being taken against those responsible, the satirical outfit itself was facing consequences for demanding accountability.
“In New India, action is being taken against the Cockroach Janta Party for demanding accountability,” Dipke said.
The Cockroach Janta Party emerged after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant allegedly used the terms “parasites” and “cockroaches” while referring to unemployed youth in the country.
However, the Chief Justice later clarified that his remarks had been misquoted and were specifically directed at individuals entering the legal profession using “fake and bogus degrees”.
The satirical account, launched a day after the remarks made on May 15, rapidly gained traction on social media and drew support from politicians, activists, artists and large sections of young users online.
Even after its X account was withheld in India, the group launched another handle titled “Cockroach is Back” with the tagline “Cockroaches Don’t Die”.
Its official Instagram account reportedly crossed 20 million followers, surpassing the 8.8 million followers of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on the platform.