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Students Disrupt CJI Surya Kant's London Lecture; High Commission Condemns Act as Indecorous
India’s High Commission said the disruption was indecorous and inconsistent with respectful public discourse after attendees challenged Surya Kant over dissent and his remarks.
On Thursday, June 4, Chief Justice Surya Kant delivered a public lecture on "Artificial Intelligence and International Law" at Birkbeck University in London, facing disruptions from attendees questioning India's democratic record.
The controversy originated from CJI Surya Kant's May 15 comments during a Supreme Court hearing, where he described unemployed youth turning toward RTI activism as "like cockroaches" and "parasites."
During the Q&A, an attendee challenged the CJI regarding "growing hostility to dissent within India," leading organizers to appeal: "Please, let's just calm and put an end to this."
On Friday, the High Commission of India in the United Kingdom condemned the disruption, labeling the behavior "indecorous" and inconsistent with respectful public discourse.
The controversy fueled the Cockroach Janta Party, a satirical movement, as supporters adopted slogans like "Cockroaches for Democracy" to express political dissent against institutional issues.