A new satirical organisation, the Makhi Janta Party (MJP), has rapidly gained visibility on social media platforms following a recent observation by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The group, which identifies a student named Aaryan as its founder, claims to have secured over 40 lakh views and approximately 3.3 lakh followers on Instagram within 72 hours of its emergence. According to account information, the profile has been active since June 2021 and has undergone eight username changes before adopting its current identity.
The name of the outfit stems from a remark made by the CJI during a Supreme Court hearing on October 9. While addressing a matter concerning a blanket shutdown of public transport in Delhi ahead of a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the Bench noted that while authorities may regulate security, they cannot justify bringing the entire transport system to a complete standstill. During the proceedings, the court stated that officials could not use a “hammer to kill a fly.” The MJP subsequently adopted this phrase for its branding, posting a statement in Hindi asserting that if the CJI had made such a comparison, then “the fly” was ready to demonstrate its significance.
The emergence of the MJP follows the established pattern of the CJP, which also began as a satirical response to a judicial remark before evolving into a broader movement. The new group has publicly declared its solidarity with the CJP and with Neha Bora, a member of the All India Students’ Association (AISA). Bora has been actively involved in protests directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In its social media communications, the MJP commended Bora for her determination, maintaining that the act of demanding accountability is a fundamental necessity for a functioning democracy.
Despite its stance, the MJP has acknowledged the legal complexities surrounding recent demonstrations, noting that some protests were conducted without necessary administrative permissions. The group has called upon citizens to exercise their right to protest while adhering to legal frameworks. Furthermore, the MJP has initiated efforts to contact the leadership of the CJP to discuss the possibility of coordinated action or a shared platform, provided that both parties can reach a mutual agreement.
The group has also raised concerns regarding the recent detention of CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. These detentions reportedly occurred after the individuals hoisted the Indian flag at Jantar Mantar, a site officially designated for public protests. A statement issued by the MJP questioned the efficacy of such sites if demonstrations are restricted to locations that lack public visibility, arguing that effective protest requires proximity to the centers of discourse. “Democracy needs dialogue, not distance,” the organization stated.
The CJP, which serves as a point of inspiration and potential collaborator for the MJP, gained significant momentum earlier this year. Its influence grew following public discontent, which eventually included protests at Jantar Mantar in July regarding alleged examination irregularities, a movement that preceded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. As the MJP continues to solicit spokespersons and grow its digital presence, its trajectory mirrors the increasingly intersectional nature of online satire and youth-led political activism in the country. Observers are now watching to see if the proposed coordination between the two groups will materialise in the coming weeks.
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