Chief Justice of India Surya Kant compared some unemployed youth and law graduates to "cockroaches" during a Supreme Court hearing in New Delhi [1, 2].
The comments highlight a growing tension between the Indian judiciary and young activists who use Right to Information (RTI) requests and social media to challenge institutional authority [3, 5].
Justice Kant made the remarks while rebuking a lawyer who was seeking a senior-advocate designation [1, 2]. He said that such a designation is earned and not chased [3]. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice expressed concern over young individuals who fail to find traditional employment and instead turn toward activism [1, 2].
"Some youngsters are like cockroaches," Justice Kant said [1]. He further characterized these individuals as people who become parasites and attack the system [2].
The Chief Justice said that some unemployed youth utilize media platforms and RTI activism specifically to target and undermine judicial institutions [2, 5]. He said that this behavior creates a pattern of attacking the system rather than seeking constructive legal resolution [2].
In addition to his remarks on youth activism, Justice Kant called for probes into suspected fake law degrees [5]. This move aligns with his broader critique of how some individuals enter the legal profession or use legal tools to harass institutions [5].
The Supreme Court remains the highest judicial body in India, and the Chief Justice's public characterization of dissenters as parasites has sparked a debate on the nature of professional conduct, and the right to protest [3].
“"Some youngsters are like cockroaches."”
The Chief Justice's rhetoric signals a hardening stance by the Indian judiciary against 'litigation activism.' By framing RTI users and unemployed graduates as parasites, the court is drawing a sharp line between legitimate legal practice and systemic critique, potentially chilling the use of transparency tools by young professionals.
