A parody political party using a cockroach symbol grew from satire into a major social media outlet for young Indians. Millions joined by sharing memes and short videos that mock corruption, joblessness, and political dysfunction. The cockroach became a tongue-in-cheek emblem of endurance because it survives harsh conditions. The movement spread unusually fast after the party created its website and social media accounts, with its Instagram following reaching more than 15 million within days. The rise reflected anger among young people facing unemployment, rising living costs, and disruptions to job recruitment caused by exam paper leaks. The backlash began after remarks comparing some unemployed young people and activists to cockroaches.
"It began as a satirical online project after a high court judge compared unemployed young people to cockroaches. Now millions of young Indians are flocking to it as an outlet for their frustration. A parody political party with the insect as its symbol has exploded across India's social media by turning absurdist humour into protest."
"Memes and short videos mocking corruption, joblessness and political dysfunction have flooded social media sites, where millions of users are embracing the cockroach an insect known for its ability to survive harsh conditions as a tongue-in-cheek symbol of endurance. The online movement's rise has been unusually rapid."
"The Cockroach Janta (people's) party, or CJP, set up its website and social media accounts on Saturday. By Thursday, its Instagram page had amassed more than 15 million followers, far surpassing the 8.8 million of Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) on the platform. Nothing of this was intentional, said the CJP founder, Abhijeet Dipke, a political communications strategist and Boston University student."
"The CJP emerged online after remarks by the supreme court chief justice, Surya Kant, triggered a backlash among young Indians angered by unemployment, rising living costs and recent government exam paper leaks that have disrupted job recruitment drives. During a hearing last week, Kant criticised what he described as parasites attacking institutions and compared some unemployed young people and activists to cockroaches."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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