Vice President Radhakrishnan Questions Media Hype Around Cockroach Janta Party

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday expressed concern over the growing popularity of the satirical platform Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), arguing that insufficient coverage of positive developments could push young people towards such trends. Addressing the 140th anniversary celebrations of Malayalam daily Deepika in Kerala's Kottayam, he underlined the importance of responsible journalism in shaping public opinion and guiding society.

Constructive Reporting Needed to Guide Youth

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Radhakrishnan stressed that media organisations have a critical responsibility in promoting constructive narratives that strengthen public confidence. He said positive achievements and activities deserve greater visibility so that younger generations are exposed to inspiring examples and meaningful information.

"Positive activities should be reported well. Only then will youngsters receive the right information. Otherwise, they will lose interest and end up following the 'cockroach'," he said.

According to the Vice President, constructive journalism can play an important role in ensuring that positive messages reach people across the country and contribute to broader social development.

Remarks on Media Priorities and Public Attention

Radhakrishnan clarified that he was not opposed to freedom of expression but questioned the tendency to give excessive prominence to topics that may quickly fade from public memory. In an apparent reference to the recent attention received by the Cockroach Janta Party, particularly among younger audiences, he suggested that lasting value should be the measure of what deserves sustained public interest.

"If something is genuinely good, people will continue to recognise its value after a week, 10 days, or even a month. Nobody knows about them. All of a sudden, they are everywhere. That cannot last," Radhakrishnan added.

He further noted that as India continues to advance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responsible media institutions have an even greater role in supporting informed public discourse and national progress.

Vice President Highlights Nation-Building Role of Media

The Vice President said journalism should not only inform citizens but also help build trust and confidence within society. He argued that noble ideas and positive initiatives should be highlighted more frequently so that they can reach every corner of the country.

Radhakrishnan maintained that media coverage has the power to influence how young people perceive society and determine which role models they choose to follow.

How the Cockroach Janta Party Emerged

The Cockroach Janta Party surfaced recently in the aftermath of a controversy linked to remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing. The judge was reported to have referred to a section of youth as "cockroaches" and "parasites", triggering widespread debate online.

The Chief Justice later clarified that his comments, aimed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees," had been misquoted. However, the controversy sparked the creation of the CJP.

Founded by political communication strategist Abhijeet Dipke, the platform initially began as an online satire project responding to the remarks and representing what it described as the "lazy and unemployed cockroaches." Over time, it expanded into a broader digital movement focused on youth concerns, using memes and political satire to discuss issues including unemployment, examination paper leaks and challenges within the education system.