Millions follow India's viral 'cockroach' movement

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AdvertisementSkip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• India's viral Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) gets over a million followers
• CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke speaks to DW
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Italy to deepen bilateral ties

Here are the biggest headlines out of India on Wednesday, May 20.

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Skip next section Model's death over alleged dowry harassment gains national attention in India05/20/2026May 20, 2026

Model's death over alleged dowry harassment gains national attention in India

The case of a 33-year-old Indian woman who died by suicide last week, just months after her wedding, has grabbed national attention as her parents alleged harassment and possible foul play. 

The woman, who had worked as a model and a marketing professional, was found hanging by her belt at her in-laws' house just five months into her marriage. 

After the initial postmortem, which ruled her death a suicide, the deceased's parents refused to accept her body and called for a second postmortem as they suspected foul play and evidence tampering, news outlet Times of India reported. 

"There were a lot of faults in the postmortem, and without even submitting the ligature, the postmortem report was released. They were asking us to take the body. What kind of findings are these?" her father told reporters.

Allegations of harassment

New Delhi Television (NDTV) reported that the woman called her mother on the night of May 12 to provide details of harassment she had been facing at the hands of her husband and mother-in-law. 

The report said the call was cut abruptly when her husband entered the room. About 15 minutes later, another call reportedly informed the parents that their daughter was not breathing.

Indian police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the woman's husband and mother-in-law. Local police have issued a lookout notice and announced a monetary reward for information that leads to the discovery of the husband, who remains missing.

The police maintain that the 33-year-old died by suicide and not murder, but admitted to lapses over the handling of the belt allegedly used to commit suicide, which did not reach the mortuary. 

In an interview with NDTV, the mother-in-law denied any wrongdoing and accused the woman of being schizophrenic and having a split personality.

India saw over 6,000 cases of dowry deaths registered in 2023, according to government data released by the Home Ministry in March 2026. 

Dowry harassment remains a widely occurring and under-reported phenomenon in India, despite stringent laws, as social stigma around divorce and separation remains high.

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https://p.dw.com/p/5E2Z0Skip next section Russian defense system deliveries to India on schedule05/20/2026May 20, 2026

Russian defense system deliveries to India on schedule

Russia's deliveries of the S-400 missile defense system to India are on schedule, Reuters news agency reported Wednesday, citing Russian news agency Interfax.

The S-400 surface-to-air missile system is one of the world's most advanced long-range missile defense systems and a key element in India's air defense architecture known as the "Sudarshan Chakra."

Named after a Hindu god's divine spinning discus, Hindu mythology considers the Sudarashan Chakra one of the most powerful and infallible weapons. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra on India's Independence Day in 2025, in the aftermath of the clashes with Pakistan, which saw the rival neighbors exchange missiles and drone attacks for days.

Since the near-war situation, India has stepped up efforts to update its defense capabilities, both by procuring technology from its allies and by indigenous development. 

India's trade ties with long-time ally Russia have increasingly come under scrutiny since US President Donald Trump retook office. 

Last year, the US imposed 50% trade tariffs on India despite being a strategic ally, largely because India ramped up its imports of Russian crude oil amid the war in Ukraine.

New Delhi agreed to pull back from those purchases earlier this year and has only recently returned to buying some Russian oil due to the global oil shock caused by the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. 

But aside from oil, Russia remains the largest defense exporter to India.

India has reiterated its multi-alignment foreign policy as global conflicts group nations in cliques. Experts say that while New Delhi has managed to walk the tightrope so far, it could soon be forced to choose between Washington and Moscow.

https://p.dw.com/p/5E221Skip next section India and Italy set to upgrade ties as Modi visits Rome05/20/2026May 20, 2026

India and Italy set to upgrade ties as Modi visits Rome

New Delhi and Rome will seek to deepen bilateral trade and strategic ties on Wednesday after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Italy for the last leg of his five-nation tour. 

Upon landing on Tuesday, Modi met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni over dinner, followed by a visit to the Colosseum. 

"We exchanged perspectives on a wide range of subjects. Looking forward to our talks today, where we will continue the conversation on how to boost the India-Italy friendship," Modi said in a social media post, which included the two leaders enjoying the Eternal City's scenic views. 

The Italian leader posted a selfie with Modi, saying, "Welcome to Rome, my friend!"

In a light-hearted video, Meloni thanked the Indian prime minister for gifting her a pack of chocolate toffees called "Melody."

It was a tounge-in-cheek referrence to a recurring social media trend that links Modi and Meloni to form a so-called couple name: "Melodi." 

In social media memes, Indians have previously linked the two prime ministers together romantically — a trend the leaders have humerously leaned into.

Modi also interacted with the Indian community in Italy on Wednesday, a regular feature on most of his foreign visits.

What’s on the agenda?

Modi and Meloni are scheduled to hold official talks with a strong focus on trade, defense, technology, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). 

Italy increasingly sees India as a key Indo-Pacific and economic partner as Europe looks to diversify away from China. 

At the same time, India views Italy as an important gateway into Europe and the G7. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in AI, critical minerals, and counter-terrorism.

https://p.dw.com/p/5E1n3Skip next section 'No longer a satire,' says Cockroach Janata Party founder05/20/2026May 20, 2026

'No longer a satire,' says Cockroach Janata Party founder

DW Reporter Shalu Yadav spoke to the man who created the Cockroach Janata Party.

Abhijeet Dipke told DW that while the movement came out of one, it was "no longer a satire or a joke."

"It's getting pretty serious," he said.

Dipke said that in his several interactions with young Indians, he heard frustration towards the state of India's political system and a sense of defeat.

"Now there is a platform for us. There is an outlet for our anger. And I feel that this is not something that has happened suddenly and I don't think it is just against the Chief Justice of India," he said.

"I think it's more about the complete political scenario, the complete political situation where people all these years were scared to speak against the power. And now they finally have found an outlet," Dipke told DW.

Dipke spoke at length to DW about how the movement came to be, his own perception of it and what he plans to do going forward.

Watch out for the full report which will be up on our website soon. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5E1gfSkip next section India's 'cockroach' movement is spreading05/20/2026May 20, 2026

India's 'cockroach' movement is spreading

India's internet has a new political force. Meet the "Cockroach Janata Party," a tongue-in-cheek Gen Z online movement built around one very durable mascot: the cockroach.

On Tuesday night, the party's Instagram page hit 1 million followers and that has now jumped to over 3 million in a matter of hours. 

What is the cockroach movement? 

It all began on May 15 when the Chief Justice of India criticized India's youth — likening some of them to "parasites" and "cockroaches" — while speaking about fake degrees at a case hearing.

"There are youngsters like cockroaches who do not get any employment…some of them become media, some become social media, some RTI activists, and they start attacking everyone," he had said. 

Within a day, Abhijeet Dipke, founder and convener of the Cockroach Janata Party, asked, "What if all cockroaches come together?" 

Across Instagram and X, users are posting memes declaring themselves cockroaches. Several of India's opposition party members and former civil servants have expressed their wish to join the party online.

The immediate support for what began as an internet joke is reminding many of the Gen Z movements that toppled governments in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. However, Dipke has no such plans.

"Let me make this absolutely clear. Do not insult or underestimate the Gen Z of India by making such comparisons. The youth of this country are far more mature, aware, and politically conscious than many give them credit for. They understand their constitutional rights and will express their dissent through peaceful and democratic means," he wrote in a post on Tuesday. 

The movement is now planning its first virtual convention for the over 350,000 so-called party members who have signed up.

CJP blames BJP for hacking attempts

Dipke and other party members said there were several attempts made to hack into the party's Instagram account. Responding to the attacks, Dipke posted a reel accusing a "vishwaguru" or "global leader" of getting scared of 20 to 21-year-olds.

That was a thinly veiled hit at Indian Prime Minister Modi, who has often said that India has grown into a "vishwaguru" under the Bharatiya Janata Party’s rule.

In another post about the attempted hacking, the caption read: "BJP scared of cockroaches?"

The central ruling party has yet to respond to the formation of the satirical group.

https://p.dw.com/p/5E1ekSkip next section Welcome to our coverage05/20/2026May 20, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Mahima Kapoor | Sean Sinico Editor

Good morning and welcome to DW's India news blog. 

This is Mahima Kapoor from the New Delhi bureau, braving the heatwave to bring to you the day's hottest news from India. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Italy for the last leg of his five-nation tour, where he met and dined with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni followed by a visit to the Colosseum. He is due for formal bilateral talks with her later today to deepen strategic ties between the two nations.

After Italy, Modi will return home just in time to meet the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US top diplomat will tour four Indian cities starting this weekend. Rubio's visit is of critical importance to US-India ties, which have faced several tests over the last one year. Security, trade and tariffs will be on agenda.

At home, a bizarre viral movement is gathering steam. Scorned by the Chief Justice of India's recent comments, India's Gen Z is signing up to the Cockroach Janata Party, which has an anti-corruption, equality based manifesto. The movement is fast developing and we have an interview with the founder and the first cockraoch. 

Stick with us for all the context and details.

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