Environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk on Saturday voiced support for the online “cockroach” movement led by the self-styled “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP), describing himself as an “honorary cockroach” while urging the government to engage with concerns raised by youngsters instead of suppressing their digital expression.
The online campaign, which uses satire and the imagery of a cockroach as a symbol of resilience and dissent, has gained attention amid claims by its founders of a crackdown on their social media presence, including account suspensions and allegations of hacking.
The movement has highlighted issues such as unemployment, examination paper leaks and public accountability.
Speaking to PTI, Wangchuk said the campaign should be viewed as democratic feedback rather than a threat.
“Such creative expressions by our youth are nothing to worry about and nothing to be afraid of. The government should take the message — don’t kill the messenger. If we kill the messenger, the message will not end,” he said.
Asked whether he would formally join the movement, Wangchuk responded in a lighter vein, saying he did not qualify for membership but identified with its message.
“I think I do not qualify, I am neither unemployed nor lazy. So sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach,” he said.
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Drawing comparisons with political satire and newspaper caricatures, Wangchuk said dissent expressed through humour and symbolism remained a legitimate democratic tool.
“Like cartoonists in newspapers, you don’t shoot them because they made a caricature of the prime minister, the home minister or the defence minister. Similarly, this is also satire. See it as feedback,” he said.
Wangchuk praised the movement’s non-violent and imaginative nature, saying Indian youth had chosen digital creativity over confrontation.
He also warned against suppressing online spaces, saying such actions could intensify frustration among young people.
Referring to reports that accounts linked to the movement were being shut down, Wangchuk said, “Then this anger can go anywhere.”
He said issues raised by the movement, particularly alleged paper leaks and concerns over accountability, deserved attention rather than dismissal.
Appealing to young people to remain peaceful, Wangchuk urged the government not to corner them.
“And I request the youth to never go towards violence. Keep raising your voice, no matter how much you talk, never go towards violence,” he said.
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