When justice sees cockroaches: Power, prejudice and the judiciary

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak 

On May 15, 2026, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant reportedly referred to unemployed people, youth, activists, and journalists as "cockroaches" and "parasites." Whether or not the remarks were made in a specific context, the controversy they generated has exposed deeper questions about social attitudes, institutional biases, and the functioning of justice in India.

The episode highlights a longstanding tension between Niti (principles, policies, and procedures) and Nyaya (justice). In a democratic society, the path of Niti cannot be separated from the destination of Nyaya. When procedures and institutions become detached from the pursuit of justice, they risk reinforcing existing hierarchies rather than challenging them. Such a divide can perpetuate class prejudice against the poor and unemployed, as well as caste-based discrimination within India's entrenched social order.

Although the Chief Justice later clarified his remarks, the controversy raises important concerns about perception and bias in the judicial system. Every individual operates within a social context, but a justice system committed to constitutional values must strive to rise above prejudice. The persistence of social biases within institutions can undermine the foundations of an evidence-based and impartial judicial order. When perceptions, stereotypes, or ideological predispositions shape judicial outcomes, the promise of equal justice under the law is weakened.

These concerns are compounded by the growing marketisation of law and the commercialisation of justice. Access to quality legal representation often depends on economic resources. Those who can afford expensive lawyers enjoy advantages that remain beyond the reach of many ordinary citizens. As a result, the accessibility and effectiveness of justice increasingly become linked to economic status. Such conditions reinforce the class character of legal institutions and raise questions about whether justice is equally available to all.

The dominant culture of productivism and employability further shapes public attitudes toward human worth. In both feudal and capitalist societies, individuals are often judged according to their economic utility. Employment and productivity become measures of social value, while unemployment is treated as a personal failure rather than a structural problem. This mindset influences institutions and public discourse alike. It can obscure the broader social, economic, and political forces that generate inequality and exclusion.

The controversy surrounding Justice Surya Kant's remarks therefore extends beyond one individual. It points to wider patterns of consciousness shaped by caste, class, and gender hierarchies. Many within the legal fraternity, like members of other professions, are products of these social structures. Overcoming such limitations requires continuous engagement with education, critical inquiry, and democratic dialogue. Courts must remain connected to the lived realities of ordinary people if they are to serve as instruments of justice rather than guardians of privilege.

Interestingly, a 2020 study by Isaac Planas-Sitjà, published in Behavioural Processes under the title "Personality Variation Improves Collective Decision-Making in Cockroaches," found that cockroaches exhibit collective intelligence and decision-making based on cooperation and interaction. Their behaviour demonstrates the importance of collective survival and interdependence. Such findings offer an unexpected metaphor for human society, where cooperation and solidarity have historically been central to social progress.

Yet modern capitalism has increasingly prioritised individualism over collective well-being. Social problems are often framed as individual failures, while collective solutions are marginalised. The pursuit of private gain is celebrated, even when it produces alienation, inequality, and exploitation. Although capitalism frequently presents itself as a system that maximises freedom and opportunity, its outcomes often concentrate power and privilege in the hands of a few.

These tendencies are increasingly visible within judicial systems across the world. When legal processes become prohibitively expensive and access to justice depends on one's ability to pay, the ideal of justice itself is compromised. Justice cannot be reduced to a commodity available only to those with sufficient resources. When even one individual is denied justice because of social or economic barriers, the legitimacy of the entire system is called into question.

In this sense, the metaphor of the cockroach acquires an unexpected significance. The collective resilience, adaptability, and cooperative behaviour associated with these creatures offer lessons about interdependence and survival. A democratic judicial system should similarly be grounded in equality, inclusion, and collective responsibility. Its purpose should be to empower citizens and protect rights without prejudice or discrimination.

The rise of satirical resistance movements, including the online phenomenon known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), reflects growing frustration with existing structures of power. Satire has long served as a tool of democratic dissent, enabling citizens to challenge authority and expose contradictions within public institutions. The emergence of such movements signals a broader desire among young people for accountability, transparency, and social justice.

The banning of social media accounts associated with the CJP has further intensified concerns about shrinking democratic space. Critics argue that restrictions on dissent, combined with institutional bias, weaken constitutional democracy and strengthen authoritarian tendencies. Whether one agrees with such assessments or not, the debate highlights the importance of protecting freedom of expression and preserving avenues for democratic engagement.

India's constitutional democracy was built through collective struggle and sacrifice. The country's youth have historically played a central role in movements against colonialism, inequality, and injustice. Their capacity for critical thought, collective action, and democratic participation remains vital for the future of the republic.

The challenge facing India today is not merely judicial reform but the broader task of creating a society free from caste, class, and gender discrimination. Such a society would strengthen democracy, deepen equality, and expand access to justice. Whether one looks to constitutional ideals or even to the collective instincts of cockroaches, the lesson is similar: survival and progress depend not on domination by the powerful few but on cooperation, inclusion, and the dignity of all.