During a lecture at Birkbeck College, University of London, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant addressed the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence and International Law.’ The event, part of his ongoing six-day visit to the United Kingdom, took a contentious turn when an attendee raised concerns about the suppression of dissent in India.
**The Lecture and the Question**
CJI Kant’s lecture emphasized the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in shaping international law. He stated, “Technology itself is neither inherently benevolent nor inherently harmful. Its impact depends upon the legal, political, and ethical frameworks within which societies choose to deploy it.” He further highlighted the responsibility of law to ensure that technological power remains accountable to constitutional values, democratic legitimacy, and human dignity. ([hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tense-exchange-over-dissent-question-at-cji-surya-kant-lecture-event-at-london-varsity-cockroach-party-shares-clips-101780660123564.html?utm_source=openai))
Following the lecture, during the interactive session, an attendee addressed the CJI, “We now hear from a number of legal observers within the country as well as internationally that there’s a great deal of concern about growing hostility to dissent within India.” She suggested that this concern was reflected in the CJI’s recent remarks. ([hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tense-exchange-over-dissent-question-at-cji-surya-kant-lecture-event-at-london-varsity-cockroach-party-shares-clips-101780660123564.html?utm_source=openai))
**Moderator’s Intervention**
Before the attendee could complete her question, the moderator intervened, stating, “With all due respect, I’m so sorry, I would not be able to take up that question since the topic is concerning artificial intelligence and international law.” The moderator apologized profusely, emphasizing the need to adhere to the event’s agenda. ([hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tense-exchange-over-dissent-question-at-cji-surya-kant-lecture-event-at-london-varsity-cockroach-party-shares-clips-101780660123564.html?utm_source=openai))
**Audience Reaction**
The exchange led to visible unrest among the audience. In a video clip shared by Saurav Das, chief spokesperson of the online movement Cockroach Janta Party, an attendee is heard protesting, “Give us some respect, please!” ([hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tense-exchange-over-dissent-question-at-cji-surya-kant-lecture-event-at-london-varsity-cockroach-party-shares-clips-101780660123564.html?utm_source=openai))
**Cockroach Janta Party’s Response**
The Cockroach Janta Party, a movement named after the CJI’s previous remarks about “cockroaches” and “parasites” in the context of fake degree-holders and unemployed youth becoming activists, reshared the video clips on social media. The movement has announced a protest in Delhi on June 6, 2026, in response to recent exam-related controversies in India. ([hindustantimes.com](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tense-exchange-over-dissent-question-at-cji-surya-kant-lecture-event-at-london-varsity-cockroach-party-shares-clips-101780660123564.html?utm_source=openai))
**Clarification of Remarks**
Earlier, CJI Kant had clarified his remarks comparing some unemployed youth to “cockroaches,” stating that his observations were misquoted and specifically aimed at individuals entering professions with fake and bogus degrees. ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/misquoted-my-oral-observations-cji-surya-kant-clarifies-cockroach-remarks-on-unemployed-youth/articleshow/131135453.cms?utm_source=openai))
**Conclusion**
The incident at Birkbeck College underscores the delicate balance between academic discourse and the expression of dissent. While the event was intended to focus on artificial intelligence and international law, the moderator’s decision to curtail questions on related political issues highlights the challenges in addressing sensitive topics within academic settings.
This article is AI-generated content. Please verify the information independently before taking any action based on this article.
