Chief Justice of India Surya Kant likened unemployed law graduates to "cockroaches" during a Supreme Court hearing in New Delhi [1, 2].
The remarks highlight a growing tension between the Indian judiciary and a generation of legal professionals who use public information tools and social media to challenge institutional norms.
Justice Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi were presiding over a petition from a lawyer seeking a senior-advocate designation [1, 2]. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice criticized a trend of unemployed youth who become media, social media, and Right to Information (RTI) activists to "attack the system" [2, 3, 4].
"Unemployed youngsters are like cockroaches; they become media, social media, RTI activists and attack the system," Kant said [1].
The Chief Justice questioned the petitioner about aligning with those he described as "parasites in society who attack the system" [5]. He also noted that there are thousands of people in black robes practicing with doubtful degrees [1].
The comments have drawn immediate criticism from political figures. Rohit Pawar, a leader with the Nationalist Congress Party, said the remark is unacceptable and reflects intolerance [6].
The hearing focused on the criteria for senior-advocate designation, but the discourse shifted toward the conduct of law graduates who seek accountability through activism rather than traditional legal practice [1, 5].
“"Unemployed youngsters are like cockroaches; they become media, social media, RTI activists and attack the system."”
The Chief Justice's language reflects a judicial frustration with the rise of 'digital activism' and RTI filings, which have increased transparency but also heightened public scrutiny of the courts. By framing unemployed graduates as disruptors rather than practitioners, the court signals a rigid boundary between formal legal advocacy and external systemic critique.
