India’s ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ began as a joke. Then millions joined in.

What began as an internet punchline is turning into something more serious

What began as an internet punchline is turning into something more serious.

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Indians online are rallying around the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP — a parody political movement that started as online satire but has rapidly become a vehicle for venting anger over unemployment, corruption and the state of India’s democracy.

The movement, a cheeky riff on the name of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has flooded social media with memes, mock campaign messaging and jokes carrying an edge of public frustration.