The cockroach who refused to crawl
Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: Sometimes, a political movement begins not with a grand manifesto, but with a word that captures a generation’s frustration. In India, the term “cockroach” became the focus of public debate following remarks attributed to Chief Justice Surya Kant comparing some unemployed young people to cockroaches and parasites during a court hearing.
Abhijeet Dipke, a young communications professional, responded by launching the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical movement that gave a voice to young people who felt overlooked by the system.
The idea was straightforward: turn an unflattering label into a symbol of resilience. Like a cockroach that survives difficult surroundings, the movement sought to represent young citizens determined to overcome economic uncertainty, examination controversies and concerns about equal opportunities.
Its growing visibility demonstrated how satire can draw attention to deeper social concerns. Behind the online humour were graduates seeking employment, families investing in education and students asking whether hard work and merit could translate into a secure future.
The movement’s name attracted attention, but the aspirations and concerns of young people gave it broader significance.
Dipke was detained and arrested in October ahead of protests in Delhi and was subsequently granted bail subject to an undertaking to maintain peace. Two fellow leaders, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, remained in judicial custody as of October 19, with a court extending their custody.
The movement has also raised concerns about electoral-list revisions that its supporters believe could disadvantage some voters, allegations denied by the Election Commission. These matters require careful consideration through established legal processes and the principles of due process.
Beyond the immediate political controversy, the episode highlights a wider question facing democracies: how can institutions respond constructively when young citizens use satire and peaceful protest to express their concerns?
A movement’s popularity does not necessarily establish the accuracy of every claim, nor does a provocative slogan guarantee lasting change. Its significance lies in the issues it brings into public discussion. When a large number of young people identify with a joke about feeling unwanted, it signals the need to examine the economic and social circumstances shaping their expectations.
Similar concerns have emerged in other parts of South Asia. In Nepal, youth-led protests reflected widespread frustration over corruption, privilege and limited opportunities. In Bangladesh, grievances concerning employment, unequal opportunities and political accountability contributed to the mass uprising that led to a change of government in 2024.
Although each country has its own political, economic and historical circumstances, these developments underline a shared regional priority: ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to participate in economic and public life.
One challenge is the concentration of opportunities and influence among well-connected groups. When access to employment, resources and decision-making appears dependent more on personal connections than competence, public confidence can weaken. Graduates may hold qualifications but struggle to find suitable work, while families can invest heavily in education without being assured of economic security.
Pakistan faces similar challenges. According to the World Bank poverty figures cited in the original article, the national poverty rate increased from 22 per cent in 2018–19 to 29 per cent in 2024–25, leaving approximately 70 million people living in poverty.
Weak economic growth, declining real wages and the prevalence of informal and insecure employment have added to household pressures.
These figures represent more than economic indicators. They reflect families managing rising expenses, parents making sacrifices for their children’s education and young graduates seeking opportunities to build independent lives.
Economic hardship does not automatically lead to political unrest, and the experiences of different South Asian countries cannot be explained by a single factor. Nevertheless, when opportunities remain limited and economic security becomes increasingly difficult to achieve, public expectations can diverge from lived realities.
Strengthening confidence in institutions is therefore essential. Transparent recruitment, credible examinations, accessible justice, accountable governance and fair economic opportunities can help ensure that individuals are judged by their abilities rather than their connections.
For Pakistan and its regional partners, these priorities also offer an opportunity to deepen cooperation. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with its emphasis on regional collaboration, security and economic development, provides a platform for member states to exchange experiences and explore practical responses to shared challenges.
Cooperation in education, vocational training, digital skills, entrepreneurship and employment generation could help young people benefit more fully from regional economic opportunities. Greater collaboration in these areas can complement national policies aimed at reducing poverty, improving social mobility and strengthening public confidence.
The experience of India’s Cockroach Janta Party illustrates how humour can become a vehicle for expressing concerns that might otherwise remain overlooked. Its broader lesson is not confined to one political movement or country: young people want recognition, dignity and a fair opportunity to contribute to society.
Across South Asia, the language of protest may differ, but the aspiration for a secure and meaningful future remains widely shared. Listening to young people, addressing their concerns through constructive dialogue and creating pathways for economic participation can help societies turn frustration into positive change.
For governments across the region, stability is strengthened not only by maintaining public order but also by building trust, expanding opportunity and ensuring that citizens have effective channels through which to express their concerns.
The cockroach may be an unconventional symbol of resilience, but the aspirations behind it are familiar. Young people want their education to lead somewhere, their efforts to be recognised and their future to offer possibilities beyond survival.
A society’s strength lies in its ability to respond to these expectations with fairness, opportunity and constructive engagement.
For South Asia, and for the wider SCO community, investing in young people is not merely a domestic responsibility; it is an investment in sustainable development, social cohesion and regional prosperity.
