Photo Source: ANI
CJI Surya Kant clarifies ‘cockroaches’ remark, says comments targeted fake degree holders, not unemployed youth
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, May 16, 2026: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has issued a clarification over his recent controversial “cockroaches” remark, stating that his observations were misrepresented in media reports and were never intended to refer to unemployed youth.
According to the CJI, his comments were made during the hearing of a case on May 15 involving allegations of bogus and fake academic qualifications. He said his criticism was directed specifically at individuals who enter the legal profession and other fields using fraudulent degrees, not at jobless young people.
The clarification comes after media reports suggested that the CJI had compared unemployed youth to “cockroaches and parasites” during court proceedings. The remarks had sparked widespread debate and concern after being widely circulated.
In his statement, the CJI expressed disappointment over the interpretation, saying his intent was to highlight concerns about individuals who misuse fake credentials to enter professions such as law, media, and other public domains. He stressed that such individuals undermine institutional integrity.
He further rejected the claim that his remarks were aimed at the youth, saying it was “baseless” to suggest he had criticised young people in general, and added that he holds India’s youth in high regard and considers them an important part of the country’s future.
The comments had been made during proceedings in a contempt-related matter before a Bench of the Supreme Court, which also examined issues related to the senior advocate designation process.