New Delhi: A question posed to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant in London about the growing suppression of dissent in India and the CJI’s recent remarks on “cockroaches” has drawn attention after the High Commission of India in London on Friday (June 5) described it as an instance of “indecorous audience behaviour”. The question was asked during the CJI’s June 4 lecture at Birkbeck, University of London.Videos circulating online showed an audience member asking the CJI to weigh in on the concerns around growing hostility to dissent within India which was cut short by the moderator, who refused to take it up.“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. And it does seem that this hostility is somewhat reflected in His Lordship’s speech and it’s very well publicised,” the attendee said, as quoted by Bar and Bench. However, before she could get to the question, she was interrupted by the moderator, who said, “With all due respect, I would not be able to take up that question since the topic is concerning artificial intelligence and international law.”“This is not a political event,” the moderator said, as the attendee suggested that the CJI should be given “a chance to respond” on his “cockroach” and “parasite” remark made on May 15.#Cockroaches in London!The Chief Justice of India is currently in London. At his first public appearance (Univ of London) he faced a question on hostility to dissent in India & his remarks describing Indian youth, journos & RTI activists as cockroaches & parasites. #CJP #NEET pic.twitter.com/UCEIvQTYkl— SouthAsia Solidarity (@SAsiaSolidarity) June 5, 2026A day later, the Indian high commission put out a statement criticising the “disruption” caused at the event addressed by CJI Kant.“A lively discussion followed his address. Thereafter a certain individual tried to disrupt the event,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement released on X.“Such indecorous audience behaviour is unacceptable and inconsistent with respectful engagement that should govern public discourse. Differences of opinion are a natural part of a democratic society. However, they must be expressed in a manner that is civil and respectful,” the statement read.High Commission of India in London condemns “indecorous audience behaviour” during an event attended by CJI Surya Kant at the University of London.The statement comes after videos circulated on social media showing audience members raising questions on protection for dissent… pic.twitter.com/koyfEmputT— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) June 5, 2026In the lecture, CJI Kant described artificial intelligence as an operational reality reshaping governance, commerce, warfare, communication, public administration, and the exercise of judicial and sovereign power, and emphasised that technological power must remain “accountable to constitutional values, democratic legitimacy, and human dignity”.He also said that the choices made during this decade will shape the future relationship between technology, power, freedom, and justice as it posed one of the most significant tests for international law in its modern evolution.CJI Kant’s “cockroach” remark made in open court last month during a hearing, in the context of concerns over unemployed youth drifting away toward social media and Right to Information (RTI) activism, was heavily criticised. It was also the inspiration behind the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical digital political movement, that has now garnered more than 22 million followers on Instagram. It used the remark to critique issues such as unemployment and institutional accountability.On June 6, the CJP launched its first offline movement with a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.