By Tora Agarwala
NEW DELHI, July 23 (Reuters) – In a moment of frustration, Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old political communications strategist, posted a simple six-word tweet: “What if all cockroaches come together?” Little did he know that this tweet would turn into one of the largest street protests in India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he took office in 2014.
The tweet was a clever response to comments made by Supreme Court judge Surya Kant, who had compared unemployed Indian youth to “cockroaches” during a speech. Kant later clarified that his words were misinterpreted.
Dipke’s tweet gained traction quickly, inspiring the formation of the “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP), a satirical platform that became a voice for millions of young Indians frustrated by issues like high unemployment and exam paper leaks.
Recently, thousands gathered in New Delhi, calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This protest was triggered by leaks of the medical entrance exam paper, affecting around 2 million students and associated with multiple student suicides. Demonstrations also spread to other cities, including Mumbai.
Dipke was living in Boston until early June but returned to India to lead the protests at Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi. Following a police crackdown on protesters last Monday, he has become a prominent figure, addressing large crowds and urging peaceful actions while applying pressure on the government.
Even though the CJP has several organizers, Dipke stands out as its most recognized leader, attracting both supporters and detractors. Last week, during a demonstration, a woman threw blue ink at him, claiming the CJP had offended Lord Ram, a key figure in Hinduism.
Born in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Dipke comes from a Dalit family, historically marginalized in India. He often speaks about his father’s challenging upbringing, stating, “He grew up in extreme poverty.” His Dalit heritage has deeply influenced his political perspective.
When he arrived in Delhi, he raised a copy of B.R. Ambedkar’s “My Autobiography,” a significant work for Dalit rights, to the cheers of supporters. After the ink incident, he humorously remarked on social media, “Blue is my colour,” alluding to the color linked to the Ambedkarite movement.
In 2020, he joined the social media team of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), where he honed his ability to communicate politically through humor and memes. Although no longer affiliated with AAP, several opposition parties have lent their support to the movement he helped inspire.
Dipke moved to the United States in 2023 to pursue a master’s degree in public relations while remaining engaged with Indian political affairs. He is still coming to terms with his newfound visibility.
The movement gained traction when YouTuber Meghnad S collaborated with a friend to create a satirical site for the Cockroach Janta Party shortly after Dipke’s tweet. The Instagram page quickly exploded to 22 million followers and has now reached 25 million.
“This growth feels so natural,” said Meghnad. However, with the movement’s rise, so did the risks. Dipke stated, “This is a movement to change the political conversation in India. The youth has largely been left out of mainstream discourse.”
Despite receiving threats, Dipke chose to return to India, vowing to stay until justice is served for the students involved. Since June 6, he has been a steady presence at the protest site, advocating for peaceful protests while also taking time to rest.
Speaking to supporters recently, he affirmed, “We will not stop until we succeed.”
