environmentalist and educationist Sonam Wangchuk On Saturday expressed support for the online “Cockroach” movement led by the self-styled “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP) and described himself as an “honorary cockroach”. He also urged the government to pay attention to the concerns of the youth instead of suppressing their digital expression.When asked if he would formally join the movement, Wangchuk responded that he was not eligible for membership, but identified with the message being put forward by the group.He said, “I have been asked from many quarters to speak on this. Some people are saying that I should also become its member.” “I feel I am not eligible – I am neither unemployed nor lazy. Sadly, I am not a member. But I consider myself an honorary cockroach,” Wangchuk was quoted as saying by PTI.Online campaigns using satire and the image of a cockroach have gained momentum in recent times. Its founders have alleged a crackdown on their social media presence, claiming account suspension and hacking attempts.The movement has gained attention online, basing itself around issues such as unemployment, exam paper leaks and public accountability. Wangchuk said the campaign should be seen as a democratic response rather than a threat.“First of all, I am very impressed. Such creative expression of our youth is nothing to worry about and nothing to fear. The government should take the message – don’t kill the messenger. If we kill the messenger, the message will not go away.”Drawing comparisons to political cartoons and newspaper caricatures, Wangchuk said that dissent expressed through humor and symbolism is a legitimate democratic tool.He said, “Like cartoonists in newspapers, you don’t shoot them because they have drawn a caricature of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister or the Defense Minister. Similarly, this is also satire. Look at it as a reaction.”Wangchuk also praised the non-violent and imaginative approach of the movement, saying that youth in the country have chosen digital creativity rather than confrontation – something he said reflects the idea of ​​India being a “Vishwaguru”.“I’m impressed that India’s youth want to vent their frustrations in such a creative way – not on the streets with stones, as has happened in other countries,” he said. “It is the duty of the Government of India to respect it, look at it with love and take its message.”At the same time, Wangchuk cautioned that suppressing online spaces for expression could increase frustration among youth. Referring to reports that social media accounts linked to the movement were being shut down, he said authorities should avoid silencing dissent.He said, “Otherwise, what will happen? I hear that their accounts are being closed. Then this anger can go anywhere.”Drawing comparisons to the political unrest in Nepal, Wangchuk argued that restricting creative expression online could have unintended consequences.Wangchuk appealed to the youth to continue their expression peacefully, while also urging the government not to push them into a corner.“This is my message to the government – ​​don’t put pressure on them,” Wangchuk said.He said, “And I request the youth to never go towards violence. Keep raising your voice, no matter how much you talk, never go towards violence. On the other hand, the government should not force them to adopt the path of violence.”Meanwhile, the “iconic” website of the self-styled Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was removed on Saturday, founder Abhijit Dubke claimed, as he accused the BJP-led Center of working in a “dictatorial” manner.Dipke, whose unconventional digital movement has gained popularity among young social media users, took to Twitter to accuse the government of “dictatorial behaviour”. He claimed that nearly 1 million people had signed up as members of the platform, which has emerged as a Gen Z- and millennial-driven space focused on satire, sarcasm and meme culture targeting the system.The controversy also comes amid outrage over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, an issue that has sparked anger among lakhs of medical aspirants across the country. Dupke claimed that six lakh members of the Cockroach Janata Party had signed a petition demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the examination controversy.