'I Am Not Unemployed But...': Sonam Wangchuk Calls Himself An 'Honorary Cockroach', Backs CJP

Voicing support for the online "cockroach" movement led by the self-styled "Cockroach Janata Party" (CJP), environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk described himself as an "honorary cockroach" on Saturday and urged the government to engage with the concerns being raised by youngsters rather than suppressing their digital expression. Speaking on the controversy, Wangchuk said the campaign should be viewed as a form of democratic feedback and not as a threat."First of all, I am very impressed," Wangchuk told PTI. "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."Asked whether he would formally

join the movement, Wangchuk responded in a lighter vein, saying he does not qualify for membership but identifies himself with its message."I have been asked from several quarters to speak on it. Some are saying I should also become a member," he said. "I think I do not qualify -- I am neither unemployed nor am I lazy. So sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach," he said.

'Dissent through humour is democratic'

He also drew a comparison with political satire and caricatures published in newspapers and said dissent expressed through humour and symbolism is 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 what he described as the movement's non-violent and imaginative character, saying the youngsters of the country have chosen digital creativity over confrontation, and it is things like these that make India a "Vishwaguru"."I am very impressed that the youth of India wanted to bring out their frustration in such a creative way -- not on the streets with stones, as has happened in other countries," he said. "To respect it is the duty of the Indian government, to look at it lovingly and take its message."He, however, warned that suppressing online spaces could aggravate frustrations among young people. Referring to reports that social-media accounts linked to the movement are being shut down, Wangchuk said authorities should avoid pushing dissent underground."Otherwise, what will happen? I am hearing that their accounts are being closed. Then this anger can go anywhere," he said.The Cockroach Janata Party, operating primarily through the Instagram handle @cockroachjantaparty, describes itself as a movement “of the youth, by the youth, for the youth.”The CJP emerged earlier this month as a satirical political movement founded by political communications strategist Abhijeet Dipke, who had previously worked with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).(With PTI inputs)