In a move to prevent public gatherings outside his residence, police authorities in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) have provided protection to the family of Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the satirical digital outfit, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The decision was made on Sunday, May 24, 2026, and is aimed at ensuring "no crowding" around Dipke’s home in the MIDC Waluj area, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Pankaj Atulkar.
Atulkar clarified that the protection was not in response to any reported threats or formal complaints but was primarily to manage potential public unrest due to the CJP’s growing online popularity. “The protection is to ensure that there is no crowding around his residence as the CJP is trending online,” he told media persons.
The CJP has recently gained significant traction across various online user groups. The party was founded following a controversial remark by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who used terms like “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing. This reference sparked public discourse and led to the creation of the satirical political entity.
On Saturday, May 23, 2026, Dipke publicly stated that he had received threats, and attempts were made to hack the CJP’s official accounts and restrict access to its social media handles. While Atulkar confirmed the incident, he denied that the police protection was a direct response to these threats or any formal complaint lodged by the party.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders from the Indian National Congress have raised concerns over the implications of the CJP’s campaign. Congress leader Nana Patole alleged that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had issued a warning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cautioning that the party’s online campaign could lead to “potential public unrest”. Patole stated that the government took preemptive action based on this report, which included the blocking of certain content.
Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, accusing it of suppressing dissent rather than addressing public issues. “The BJP is not addressing the people’s issues and is instead refusing [to allow] social media accounts,” Thorat remarked.
The development highlights the intersection of satire, political commentary, and online activism, as well as the challenges of managing viral social media campaigns in a politically charged environment. Police officials have reiterated that their primary concern remains maintaining public order and preventing unauthorized gatherings.
Published on May 24, 2026, at 10:37 pm IST, the situation continues to evolve as authorities monitor the situation closely.
