'Do NOT assemble': Bengaluru Police warns people not to participate in Cockroach Janata Party's human chain

The Bengaluru Police on Friday warned citizens against assembling near Town Hall on Sunday, May 24, in response to a social media call allegedly issued by the “Cockroach Janata Party Karnataka” to form a human chain.

In an official press note, the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, said no permission had been sought or granted for the proposed gathering. Police also clarified that no approval had been obtained from the GBA office for the use of the location.

Authorities said the social media post had invited people to gather in large numbers near Town Hall for a “peaceful human chain.” However, the police noted that protests, rallies and dharnas are not permitted at locations other than Freedom Park, as per a Karnataka High Court order dated August 1, 2022.


“People assembling in front of Town Hall in violation of this order would amount to a clear breach of the Hon’ble Court’s directions,” the statement said.


The police further advised the public not to forward or share the message on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter, and warned people against gathering near Town Hall.

The notice added that legal action could be initiated against violators and said the advisory had been issued in public interest to create awareness about the law.

Cockroach Janata Party, which according to Dipke had 201,000 followers on X, came following a controversy over Chief Justice of India Surya Kant using "parasites" and "cockroaches" while pulling up a lawyer for his plea seeking senior designation.

The CJI later clarified that he was misquoted and his remarks were directed specifically at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees".

What began as an online satire project has soon evolved into a wider conversation about contemporary protest and the role of humour and meme culture in it.

Using memes, the Cockroach Janata Party platform gained traction through sharp political satire and commentary. Much of its content centres on youth concerns such as unemployment, examination paper leaks and education, packaged through graphics, animation, manifestos and charter-style demands.

The rapid rise drew attention not only from meme creators and young users but also from public figures who viewed it as a form of digital dissent.

Politicians, including TMC leaders Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad, engaged with or expressed interest in the movement, alongside activists such as Prashant Bhushan and Anjali Bharadwaj.

The website of Cockroach Janata Party, which quickly became CJP for many, describes itself as a “political party for the people the system forgot to count. Five demands. Zero sponsors. One large, stubborn swarm”.

Complete with sections on ‘manifesto’, ‘vision’, ‘eligibility’ and ‘contact’, the website also declares that it is the “Voice of the Lazy & Unemployed”.