Acclaimed writer and filmmaker Mira Nair became the latest ones to come out in support of the youth-led Cockroach Janata Party () amid protests in India over alleged irregularities by the Election Commission of India. On Friday, CJP announced ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in Delhi during protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Salman Rushdie commented on the youth group in India during a fundraising dinner for the Asian American Writers Workshop in New York City on Thursday. It was also attended by the NYC Mayor Mamdani’s mother, Mira Nair whose birthday was reportedly marked at the gathering as well.
At the event, Rushdie called the CJP moment a hope for the younger generation in India. Nair extended her support to those fighting for the cause.
Rushdie said, “India is boiling,” and called CJP protests “the most hopeful moment for a very long time”. The Booker Prize-winning author urged people to “celebrate the cockroach”, as quoted by writer and journalist Amitava Kumar on a Substack account.
“There is something going on in India right now. India is boiling. And I would feel wrong not to say—maybe not the thing to say in a restaurant—to celebrate the cockroach,” Rushdie said.
Reflecting the same sentiments, proudly declared herself a “cockroach mom”. Reportedly, she added that she was proud of those in India who stood up for democracy.
