A section of graduating students at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad has formally requested the university administration to withdraw its invitation to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest for their 2026 convocation. The students argue that the CJI's recent judicial comments and controversies, particularly his widely reported 'cockroach' remark, are incompatible with the institution's values of constitutional accountability and academic freedom.
Student Concerns and the 'Cockroach' Controversy
The Batch of 2026 penned a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, and faculty, expressing their collective concern. They highlighted specific instances, including the CJI's reference to some young people as 'cockroaches' and what they described as 'insensitive statements about not having time to watch videos of police brutality.' The students stated that inviting Justice Surya Kant to confer their degrees, which hold significant academic and emotional importance, 'does not sit right with us.'
The controversy surrounding the 'cockroach' comment originated from a Supreme Court hearing in May, where Justice Surya Kant made remarks while addressing a matter concerning alleged fake law degrees. While his comments were later clarified to refer specifically to individuals using fraudulent qualifications to enter professions like law and journalism, they were widely interpreted on social media as a disparaging reference to unemployed or young Indians. This sparked considerable online criticism and led to the formation of the satirical 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP).
From Satire to Youth Protests
The 'Cockroach Janta Party,' initiated by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke, began as an online satirical movement but quickly evolved into a youth-led campaign. Adopting the cockroach as a symbol of resilience, supporters utilized humor and political satire to voice concerns about unemployment, examination irregularities, and broader governance issues. The movement gained traction beyond social media, organizing and participating in protests, notably at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The CJP became closely associated with the larger Gen Z protests of 2026, which brought issues of examination fraud, unemployment, and police action against demonstrators into the national spotlight. Young protestors embraced the cockroach symbolism to express their frustration with established institutions and political systems. The NALSAR students' letter now brings this ongoing controversy into an academic context, prompting a re-evaluation of the appropriateness of Justice Surya Kant presiding over their convocation.
Justice Surya Kant assumed the role of Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, having served as a Supreme Court judge since May 2019. He is scheduled to retire on February 9, 2027.