When India’s youth were compared to cockroaches, they did not back down. Instead, they embraced the insult, creating the Cockroach Janata Party, a viral, Gen Z-led satirical movement demanding accountability.

At Scroll, we didn’t treat the Cockroach Janata Party as just another viral moment. We explored how the cockroach emerged as a political symbol and examined what this phenomenon reveals about youth discontent and political participation.

As the movement grew, our reporting looked beyond the jokes and slogans. We analysed whether a party built on satire can develop lasting political influence, why some opposition parties have embraced it while others remain wary, and whether its demands could eventually be absorbed by the political mainstream.

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Team Scroll