India's Chief Justice Calls Unemployed Youth 'Cockroaches,' Sparks Supreme Court Controversy

On May 15, 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, presiding over a Supreme Court bench, characterized unemployed young Indians as 'like cockroaches' who turn to social media, journalism, and Right to Information (RTI) activism to 'attack the system,' describing them as 'parasites of society.' The remarks triggered immediate public backlash and petitions against the Cockroach Janta Party, with civil society groups questioning whether a sitting chief justice should make such sweeping generalizations about citizens exercising constitutional rights. The incident highlights tensions in India between the judiciary, press freedom, and the right to information—core pillars of the country's democratic framework. The controversy raises questions about judicial accountability and the independence of India's highest court.