Center cracks down on CJP after IB warns of possible riots, say Maharashtra Congress leaders

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat said, “This issue has been growing for many days. If this happens, it will affect the youth, the poor and the unemployed.” File | Photo credit: Emmanual Yogini

Maharashtra Congress leaders have accused the ruling BJP of suppressing public dissent, claiming the government blocked the social media accounts of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical digital outfit, after an Intelligence Bureau (IB) report warned of potential public unrest.

Former state Congress chiefs Nana Patole and Balasaheb Thorat alleged that the government was suppressing people’s anger instead of addressing the problems faced by the youth, the poor and the unemployed.

Earlier this week, the CJP launched a campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak.

The platform emerged last week following a controversy over remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant about “cockroaches” and “parasites” during a court hearing on the issue of the designation of “senior” lawyer.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Saturday (May 23, 2026) blamed a large-scale crackdown on the digital movement, claiming that all its social media accounts and its website had been removed or compromised, leaving the group unable to access any of its official platforms.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Patole claimed that the IB had warned PM Modi that the CJP’s spiraling social media campaign could trigger unrest in the country, following which the content was blocked.

“The IB report submitted to the Prime Minister informed that the matter may create unrest and should be blocked. A decision was taken based on this information,” he said.

He further claimed that anger over the move had been building for days and warned that it could intensify. “If this happens, it will affect the youth, the poor and the unemployed. There is a big wave of anger against this move and this anger can explode anytime,” he said.

Mr. Thorat, meanwhile, said the BJP cannot escape criticism by targeting social media platforms or accounts. “Anger has been growing over this issue for many days. If this happens, it will affect the youth, the poor and the unemployed,” he told reporters.

The problem will not be solved simply by shutting down social media accounts, he said, accusing the BJP of trying to curb dissent instead of addressing growing public grievances.

Published – 24 May 2026 13:12 IST