By Our Correspondent 

NEW DELHI – A satirical online movement that sprang up just over a week ago has snowballed into a massive Gen Z phenomenon, amassing over 20 million Instagram followers and raising questions about youth discontent ahead of national elections.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), launched in protest against an alleged remark by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant comparing unemployed youth to "cockroaches," has seen explosive growth since its founding on May 15.

Founder Abhijeet Dipke, a 30-year-old pursuing a master's degree in public relations from Boston University, told media that the movement now has over 20 million followers on Instagram and approximately 800,000 registered users on its website.

For context, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fewer than 9 million Instagram followers.

The party's manifesto, released online, includes demands such as a ban on post-retirement Rajya Sabha seats for Chief Justices, 50% reservation for women in Parliament and the cabinet, action against the deletion of valid votes, and a 20-year ban on politicians who switch parties.

Its tongue-in-cheek membership criteria require applicants to be "unemployed, lazy, chronically online, and able to rant professionally".

The launch of the youth movement and its rapid rise has pushed PM Modi and his party leaders into fear as on Saturday, union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that 49% of the party's social media followers originated from Pakistan, with only 9% from India. Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar called the campaign a "classic cross-border influence operation" aimed at destabilizing India and targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

CJP said most of its members and followers are Indian men and women.

"The more the government tries to suppress this movement, the more momentum it gains," Dipke said from Boston, after CJP's official X account was withheld in India and its Instagram page was hacked. "The government is scared because it realizes that the youth is moving away from them".

Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda criticized the government's response, saying: "After demonetization and the vote ban, the BJP has now implemented a 'cockroach ban.' If someone criticizes you on social media, you have their accounts shut down. This is completely inappropriate in a democracy".

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With over 70% of CJP members aged between 19 and 25, the movement has struck a nerve among India's young population, which faces an unemployment rate of 9.9% for those aged 15 to 29, according to government data.

A Deloitte survey cited by Reuters found that 54% of Gen Zs have postponed major life decisions, such as buying homes, due to economic worries.

Dipke, who previously worked with the India Against Corruption movement and the Aam Aadmi Party, said the movement is still deciding its future direction but has the "potential to change the politics of India".

"The youth has lost faith in the government because there is no accountability," he told Mumbai Mirror. "Nobody is talking about us. Nobody is listening to our issues or even trying to acknowledge our existence".

While declining to confirm plans to formally register as a political party, Dipke warned that democratic street protests could happen soon if demands -- including the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy -- are not addressed.

"We will do everything within the rights of the constitution, in a very democratic and peaceful way," he stressed. "It won't be something like we saw in Nepal or Bangladesh".

The development comes as a potential warning sign for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, which faces general elections in the coming years. With 65% of India's 1.42 billion people under the age of 35, political analysts suggest any movement capable of channeling youth discontent could emerge as a disruptive force in Indian politics and push Modi out of ruling. 

As one 26-year-old supporter from Lucknow told Reuters: "The cockroach reflects resilience, coming back strongly after every challenge."