On Wednesday, 28 September 2024, the social‑media post by American singer Mary Millben accused the Cockroach Janata Party of being funded by US donors opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Millben warned that the donors would abandon the party if it failed to achieve its aims, citing a pattern of foreign interference. Dipke responded in a terse X thread, questioning why an American national was commenting on India’s internal affairs and demanding that the PM does not need foreign support to counter critics.
The CJP, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has led a series of street rallies in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The party’s protests have escalated in the last month, with thousands marching and calling for a clean electoral process.
Millben, who sang India’s national anthem during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the United States in 2023, has emerged as a vocal critic of what she terms the CJP’s disruptive spirit. She framed her accusations as a warning to young Indians to speak up against foreign‑backed opposition, positioning herself as a patriotic voice for the nation.
Prime Minister Modi’s government has repeatedly denied any foreign funding to opposition groups, asserting that the country’s political landscape is self‑sustained. The allegation comes at a time when India’s foreign‑policy community is cautious about the influence of overseas donors on domestic politics.
The exchange has intensified scrutiny on the CJP’s financial backing as the party prepares for its next wave of protests. An upcoming parliamentary debate on the SIR controversy is set for 12 October, while Dipke is expected to issue a formal rebuttal to Millben’s claims on the party’s official website.