‘Neither Unemployed Nor Am I Lazy But…’: Sonam Wangchuk calls himself ‘an honorary cockroach’

Sonam Wangchuk has voiced support for the viral “Cockroach” online movement, calling himself an “honorary cockroach” and urging the government to treat satire as democratic feedback, not a threat.

New Delhi: Environmentalist and education reform advocate Sonam Wangchuk has expressed 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 the concerns raised by young people.

Speaking on the growing online campaign, Wangchuk said he did not technically qualify to become a member of the movement but identified with the message being conveyed through satire and digital activism.

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‘Creative Expression Should Not Be Feared’

Wangchuk praised the movement for what he called a peaceful and imaginative form of dissent. He said the campaign reflected frustration among youth over issues such as unemployment, examination paper leaks and public accountability.

According to Wangchuk, such expressions should be viewed as democratic feedback rather than a threat to the system.

He compared the movement’s satire to political cartoons and caricatures often seen in newspapers, arguing that humour and symbolism have long been part of democratic discourse.

Appeal Against Suppression of Online Voices

The educationist also cautioned against shutting down digital spaces used by young people to express dissatisfaction. Referring to allegations that social media accounts linked to the movement had been suspended or hacked, he warned that suppressing online expression could deepen anger and frustration.

Wangchuk urged authorities to respond sensitively to criticism and avoid pushing youth towards confrontation.

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At the same time, he appealed to young people to continue expressing their views peacefully and stay away from violence.

CJP Claims Crackdown on Platforms

The controversy intensified after CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the movement’s website and social media handles had been taken down. Dipke accused the government of acting in a “dictatorial” manner and claimed that nearly 10 lakh people had joined the platform.

The movement has gained traction online in recent days, particularly among Gen Z and millennial users, through memes and satire linked to unemployment, governance issues and the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.