Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju announces ‘Ishq Karo Party’

Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju has announced the “Ishq Karo Party.” Sharing the news on social media platform X, Katju said the party’s main message is “Make Love, Not War.”

He invited young people to join the initiative and said interested people can contact the party through its email address. According to Katju, the aim of the party is to spread love, peace and harmony among people.

The announcement has attracted attention online, with many users comparing the new initiative to the viral “Cockroach Janta Party” (CJP), which recently made headlines after holding a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi over alleged examination paper leaks.

A screenshot that is reportedly circulating on social media shows Katju allegedly inviting writer and journalist Mrinal Pande to join the party. In the post, he allegedly said that people should “forget the clowns of CJP” and support the Ishq Karo Party instead. The screenshot also claimed that Irfan Ali, who lives in Princeton, New Jersey, is the party’s chairman. However, the authenticity of the screenshot has not been independently verified.

The name “Ishq Karo” means “fall in love” or “love one another.” Many users believe the name reflects a message of friendship, affection and social harmony. So far, Katju has not shared any detailed manifesto or plans for the party.

Social media users reacted with a mix of curiosity and humour. While some welcomed the idea, others questioned whether the party would become a real political organisation. For now, the Ishq Karo Party has mainly created a buzz online and sparked discussion across social media.

Markandey Katju served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 2006 until his retirement in 2011. After retiring, he served as Chairman of the Press Council of India and has remained active in public debates through his comments on legal, political and social issues.