Supporters of the Cockroach People’s Party hold protest in New Delhi

Key points

• Hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (Cockroach People’s Party, or CJP), a satirical social media movement in India, have gathered in New Delhi after weeks of grabbing news headlines.
• The party, a play on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has attracted millions of online followers and widespread support among young Indians.
• On Saturday, hundreds gathered in New Delhi’s protest zone near parliament, with some participants wearing cockroach masks.
• Last month, India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant likened young people who criticised the government to “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing.
• Kant later said his comments were taken out of context.