'Cockroach Janta Party' X Handle Blocked After IB Flagged ‘National Security’ Threat: Report

'Cockroach Janta Party' X Handle Blocked After IB Flagged ‘ Security’ Threat: Report Written By, Last Updated: May 22, 2026, 11:24 IST Intelligence agencies flagged the account over allegedly “inflammatory” content and concerns linked to “the sovereignty and integrity of India” Rapid Read The meme-driven collective had rapidly gone viral over the past week, especially among young Indians. The X handle of “Cockroach Janta Party", the viral satirical collective that emerged after controversy over Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s remarks on people who “attack the system", was withheld in India on Thursday on the Centre’s direction following Intelligence Bureau (IB) inputs citing “national security concerns". According to a report by The Indian Express, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the order under Section 69A of the IT Act after intelligence agencies flagged the account over allegedly “inflammatory" content and concerns linked to “the sovereignty and integrity of India". Under Section 69A, the Centre has powers to direct intermediaries to block online content in the interests of sovereignty, defence, public order or national security. ALSO READ | ‘Pest Control’ In Politics: How Cockroach Janta Party Crawled Into Limelight On The Back Of NEET Paper Leak Row The development comes after X users in India on Wednesday found the satirical account inaccessible, with the platform displaying the message that the handle had been “withheld in India in response to a legal demand". According to X guidelines, any account or post is withheld if the social networking site receives a “valid and properly scoped request from an authorised entity". “Such withholdings will be limited to the specific jurisdiction that has issued the valid legal demand or where the content has been found to violate local law(s)," it states. The meme-driven collective had rapidly gone viral over the past week, especially among young Indians. What began as a satirical online campaign soon transformed into a wider digital protest movement fuelled by Gen-Z humour, anti-establishment memes and political commentary. Founded by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke, the page branded itself as the “voice of the lazy and unemployed", rapidly attracting millions of views and followers across platforms. “As expected, Cockroach Janta Party’s account has been withheld in India," Dipke posted from his account on Thursday afternoon. Less than two hours later, he announced a new handle for the platform, Cockroach Is Back, and urged people to join it. How Did The Movement Begin? The satirical movement began after the remarks made by Surya Kant during a Supreme Court hearing on May 15. Expressing alarm over what he suggested was a growing ecosystem of fake degree holders, social media attackers and opportunistic activists targeting institutions, he said: “There are already parasites of society who attack the system, and you want to join hands with them?" “There are youngsters like cockroaches, who don’t get any employment and don’t have a place in a profession. Some of them become media, some of them become social media, some of them become RTI activists, some of them become other activists, and they start attacking everyone…" he added. ALSO READ | Cockroach Janata Party Hits Jackpot On Instagram, Garners Over 11 Million Followers In 5 Days A day later, Surya Kant said he had been “misquoted" by sections of the media and his criticism was directed solely at those who had joined different professions through “fake or bogus degrees". In a statement, he said: “I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday. What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites. “It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India." However, by then, the ‘Cockroach Janta Party’ had taken the internet by storm, registering over 1,00,000 members within days of going live. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 22, 2026, 11:07 IST News india 'Cockroach Janta Party' X Handle Blocked After IB Flagged ‘ Security’ Threat: Report 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 Privac