CJI cockroach remark controversy and CJP protests

In May 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, during a Supreme Court hearing, compared individuals with fraudulent degrees to 'cockroaches' who become social media or RTI activists. The remark sparked youth backlash and inspired the satirical online movement 'India — Rashtriya Janata Dal' (CJP), founded by Cockroach Janta Party. CJP organized protests over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-UG paper leak, leading to a clash at Jantar Mantar on July 20 and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In August, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre, India — Bar Council of India, CBI, and MeitY on a plea by advocate Ajay Choudhary seeking a probe into fake advocates, fraudulent law degrees, and CJP activities, including alleged commercial exploitation of court observations. CJI Kant later clarified his remarks were misquoted and misused with malicious intent to mislead youth, and reiterated an order barring unauthorized dissemination of court recordings.