‘Instagram Is Your Town Square, Not A Ballot Box’: Shashi Tharoor’s Message To Gen Z
‘Instagram Is Your Town Square, Not A Ballot Box’: Shashi Tharoor’s Message To Gen Z Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 12:09 IST Addressing
‘Instagram Is Your Town Square, Not A Ballot Box’: Shashi Tharoor’s Message To Gen Z Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 12:09 IST Addressing young Indians drawn to the viral ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ movement, the Congress MP acknowledged frustrations over unemployment and exam controversies. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. (PTI file photo) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday urged young Indians associated with the viral “Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) movement to channel their frustrations through democratic and institutional mechanisms, saying lasting change can be achieved by engaging with the system rather than remaining outside it. In The Indian Express column addressed to Gen Z, Tharoor said the popularity of the satirical movement reflected widespread frustration among young people over inadequacies of the political system and controversies surrounding examinations. Referring to the movement’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, Tharoor noted that the “Cockroach Janta Party" rapidly gained traction online after being launched on social media. “Instagram is your town square. But it is not a ballot box," he wrote in The Indian Express. On Youth Frustration Acknowledging the concerns driving support for the movement, Tharoor said young people had legitimate reasons to feel disappointed with institutions and governance. “To those of you feeling lost, angry, and disillusioned: your pain is seen, and your anger is heard.
The reasons you signed up for the CJP are valid," he wrote. Also Read: ‘Seize The Opportunity’: Shashi Tharoor’s Advice To Opposition Amid Cockroach Janta Party Frenzy Referring to examination-related controversies, he said incidents such as paper leaks and administrative failures represented “a betrayal of your time, your effort, and your future" for students who had spent years preparing for competitive tests. At the same time, he cautioned against viewing online mobilisation alone as a solution. “There is a danger in mistaking an outlet for your frustration as the solution to your problems. It is not," Tharoor wrote. Call For Institutional Engagement The Congress leader argued that supporters of the movement should seek accountability through existing democratic and legal channels. “As an MP myself, let me tell you that you can make your representatives accountable," he wrote. Tharoor suggested that citizens engage with elected representatives, file Right to Information (RTI) applications and seek greater transparency on matters such as examinations and recruitment. He also called for advocacy centred on specific policy demands, saying organised campaigns are more likely to influence public debate and decision-making. “When your dissent is organised around specific, actionable demands… the media is forced to cover the solution, not just the scandal," he wrote. ‘Professionalise Your Advocacy’ Tharoor urged young people to work with student groups, legal collectives and policy organisations to convert public grievances into structured campaigns.
“The most successful movements in democratic history didn’t just shout; they organised, they drafted, they lobbied, they agitated," he wrote. He also encouraged the use of legal remedies where necessary, adding that campaigners should build substantive cases rather than rely solely on slogans and social media messaging. Appeal For Political Participation The MP said participation in civic and political processes remained essential for bringing about long-term change. “True change often happens in the mundane processes of daily politics," he wrote. He argued that young Indians possess the numbers and influence needed to shape the country’s future, urging them to remain engaged and organised. “The temptation to opt out of the system is always there," Tharoor wrote, adding that young people should instead use their “numbers, the digital fluency, and the moral high ground" to influence policy and governance. ‘Don’t Let Your Anger Burn Out Into Apathy’ Concluding the column, Tharoor urged young Indians not to define themselves by frustration alone and called on them to work with political leaders and institutions to pursue reforms. “You don’t need to be treated like cockroaches, and you don’t need to adopt the label as your permanent identity," he wrote. “Don’t let your anger burn out into apathy. Let it be the fuel for a long-term, persistent demand for the changes you deserve," Tharoor added.
Tharoor’s remarks come against the backdrop of the meteoric rise of the “Cockroach Janta Party", a social media-driven movement founded by Abhijeet Dipke. What began as a satirical online campaign quickly snowballed into a viral phenomenon, drawing millions of followers and sparking widespread discussion among young Indians disillusioned with employment prospects, competitive examinations and public institutions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers,... Read More Location: Thiruvankulam, India, India First Published: June 04, 2026, 09:06 IST News india ‘Instagram Is Your Town Square, Not A Ballot Box’: Shashi Tharoor’s Message To Gen Z Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
The BriefWire