On Friday, 22nd May, the Bengaluru Police issued a public warning against the AAP-linked Cockroach Janta Party. The so-called ‘Gen Z’ online group had called on people to gather near Town Hall on Sunday, 24th May, under the banner of the ‘Cockroach Janta Party Karnataka.’
In its advisory, police officials said no permission had been granted for any such event and urged people not to participate in it or circulate the message online.
In an official press note released by the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, authorities said they had noticed a social media post inviting people to form a “peaceful human chain” outside Town Hall. However, the police clarified that no individual, political group, or organisation had applied for permission to hold the programme.
Do NOT assemble in front of the Town Hall in #Bengaluru on Sunday (May 24) in response to call by non-existent Cockroach Janata Party (#Karnataka) to form a human chain, you will be booked: warn Bengaluru Police. 👇@timesofindia pic.twitter.com/knuShXtZhO
— TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) May 22, 2026
“It has come to notice that a message is being circulated on social media under the heading ‘Cockroach Janata Party Karnataka’ inviting people to gather in large numbers in front of Town Hall on May 24,” the statement said. “No permission has been sought or granted for conducting such a programme at the location.”
The police also said permission had not been taken from the concerned authorities for using the area around Town Hall for any public gathering.
Police cite High Court order on protests
The advisory further referred to an earlier order of the Karnataka High Court, which states that protests, rallies and demonstrations in Bengaluru are allowed only at Freedom Park.
According to the police, any gathering near Town Hall in violation of the order would amount to a direct breach of court directions. “As per the Hon’ble High Court’s order, protests are permitted only at Freedom Park. Gathering near Town Hall for such an event would clearly violate the court’s directions,” the statement added.
Police also requested citizens not to forward or share the invitation message on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and X.
What is ‘Cockroach Janta Party’?
The so-called online party has been launched by Abhijeet Dipke, a self-styled political commentator who has served as part of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) social media machinery. Several media reports from the past have cited Dipke as either a member or a team lead in AAP’s social media machinery.
The controversy started after the CJI was reported to have referred to “unemployed youth” as “cockroaches.” Although the Chief Justice later clarified that his comments had been misquoted, the online ‘party’ had already been launched by then. Since its formation, several similar parody pages and groups have also appeared across social media platforms.
