No permission for human chain protest called by Cockroach Janta Party: Bengaluru Police

Cockroach Janta Party is a satirical political movement founded on 16 May by Abhijeet Dipek, a former political strategist of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). | Photo credit: PTI

Bengaluru police on Friday (May 22, 2026) warned against gathering a “peaceful human chain” near the city hall in the heart of the city after an alleged invitation poster titled “Cockroach Janta Party Karnataka” started circulating on social media, a satirical online outfit said.

In the purported poster, the outfit called on people to join a peaceful human chain near City Hall on Sunday (May 24, 2026). The poster read: “All cockroaches and fans of Cockroach Janata Party, join us, demonstrate our strength and send a message to the self-deluded leadership.”

It also carried the slogan: “Not only online, it’s time to show strength in the streets.”

Soon after, the Bengaluru City Police issued a statement that no person had obtained permission to hold such a demonstration, nor had anyone sought permission from the Greater Bengaluru Authority.

Police said such a demonstration cannot be held on the streets as it would violate the Supreme Court’s order that protests should be held only in Freedom Park.

“The public is advised not to knowingly or unknowingly forward or share the said message through social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X etc. and not to congregate near the Town Hall,” BCP noted.

The alleged poster also carried a picture showing cockroaches walking towards the Vidhana Soudha holding placards reading ‘Namma Hakku’.

“Come cockroaches; let’s send a message. There is no leader; we are our own leaders. There is no organization; the citizens joining hands is the organization itself,” it read.

CJP is a satirical political movement founded on May 16 by Abhijeet Dipke, a former political strategist of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The platform was launched in response to CJI Surya Kant’s comment describing young, unemployed Indians as “cockroaches”. Later, the CJI issued a clarification that he had been “misquoted” by the media.

Published – 22 May 2026 21:23 IST