CJP Says Instagram Handle Taken Down on Independence Day, Later Restored
NEW DELHI: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a recently formed political outfit, has claimed that its official Instagram account was briefly suspended on Saturday, August 15, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The account was restored later in the day, according to the group.
In a post on the platform, the party described the alleged takedown as an attempt to “muzzle our voice on Independence Day.” It added, “What a shame that those who oppose CJP chose India's Independence Day to try to muzzle our voice. We will not be intimidated by such cowardly acts!”
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke reacted sharply, saying, “They took down the official Instagram handle of Cockroach Janta Party. Bloody cowards!”
The incident comes amid a series of campaigns by the CJP, which has sought to draw attention to issues concerning students and education. Recently, the group launched a campaign urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the country's youth in his Independence Day message, raising questions about unemployment, education, and concerns among young people.
Earlier, the CJP led a protest in Delhi demanding the resignation of then-Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and other issues affecting students. Dipke emerged as the prominent face of that agitation.
The CJP was founded in May by Dipke, a social media influencer, following a remark by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The CJI had reportedly referred to “cockroaches” while criticising the use of fake degrees. The comment was widely interpreted as being directed at the youth, a perception the CJI later clarified. He said he was misquoted and his remarks were meant for individuals who enter professions such as the bar using fraudulent credentials.
Dipke, who has a significant following online, has used the controversy to build a political brand around the term, turning it into a party name. The CJP has been active on social media, and its Instagram account is a key channel for its messaging.
Social media platforms routinely suspend accounts for violations of their terms of service. In this case, the party has not provided details about the notice it received, and independent verification of the claim was not possible. The timing of the alleged action, on a national holiday, has added to the political tension surrounding the party's recent activities.
This incident highlights the growing importance of social media platforms in India's political discourse, where even a small group can amplify its message with a single account. It also raises questions about the transparency of account moderation and the mechanisms for appeal when a user believes an action is unjust.
The CJP has said it will continue its campaigns. For now, the account is back online, but the controversy underscores the delicate balance between free expression and platform regulation in a fiercely contested digital public square.
