American singer Mary Millben on Wednesday (October 14, 2026) alleged that the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) was receiving funding from donors in the United States and said it was “not the time to be silent”.
In a post on X, Millben claimed that the CJP was backed by donors based in the United States and urged young Indians to rise and peacefully oppose what she described as the “disruptive spirit” of the Abhijeet Dipke-founded outfit. Mr. Dipke hit back: “Who gave foreign nationals the right to interfere in India’s internal affairs?”
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Who is Mary Millben?
An African-American singer and actor, Millben enjoys a significant following in India, particularly for her rendition of the national anthem and the devotional song Om Jai Jagdish Hare.
She sang Jana Gana Mana at an event in the United States during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2023. Millben was among the prominent personalities who attended the ninth International Day of Yoga event at the United Nations Headquarters, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A former White House presidential appointee during the administration of George W. Bush, Millben has performed for five consecutive U.S. Presidents: George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump during his first term, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump during his second term, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Millben is formally recognised as a cultural envoy of the United States Department of State and is regarded as a cultural ambassador for her work in cultural diplomacy, interfaith dialogue and advocacy of global inclusion.
She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, with a minor in political science, and has also pursued studies in Mandarin at universities in Xi’an, Kunming, Beijing and Shanghai.
Millben backs Modi
The 41-year-old singer alleged that CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and his party were being supported by “donors in the US who are against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your future under his leadership.”
To all the beautiful young patriots in India: This is not the time to be silent. @abhijeet_dipke and the @Cockroachisback are being funded by donors in the U.S. who are against Prime Minister @NarendraModi and your future under his leadership. Do not fear, my young patriots. Your Prime Minister, who has served India for 25 years, 12 years as Prime Minister, elected three consecutive terms, is not going to bow to disruptive forces from my country. And these select donors have a pattern globally - target conservative global leaders, find an U.S. educated person from the country, radicalize them, send them back to the country, and fund them to start chaos and destruction. None of them have been successful but have impacted the development and governance of the country. It is time for a new voice in #India, born, raised, educated on the soil of India, to RISE UP, organize, and peacefully protest the disruptive spirit of the Cockroach Party. There should always be a counter movement to uphold democracy and freedom. Rise up, young patriots! Rise up!
— Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) October 14, 2026
“Do not fear, my young patriots. Your Prime Minister, who has served India for 25 years, including 12 years as Prime Minister and three consecutive terms in office, is not going to bow to disruptive forces from my country,” Millben said in her post.
She further alleged that a group of foreign donors had followed a pattern of targeting conservative leaders around the world, identifying individuals educated in the United States, radicalising them, and funding movements aimed at creating unrest.
The singer said there should always be a counter-movement to defend democracy and freedom.
“It is time for a new voice in India, born, raised and educated on Indian soil, to rise up, organise and peacefully protest the disruptive spirit of the Cockroach Party. Rise up, young patriots,” she said.
Dipke criticises Millben’s remarks
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Dipke accused. Millben of interfering in India’s internal affairs as the two exchanged sharp remarks over claims of foreign funding.
Why is Modi seeking the support of Americans to discredit his own countrymen? Who gave foreign nationals the right to interfere in India's internal affairs? We are more than capable of dealing with our own issues. We don't need outsiders interfering in our country's affairs.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 14, 2026
Questioning her intervention, Mr. Dipke asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi needed support from Americans to discredit his political opponents.
“Who gave foreign nationals the right to interfere in India’s internal affairs? We are more than capable of dealing with our own issues. We do not need outsiders interfering in our country’s affairs,” he said.
Millben responds
Millben rejected Mr. Dipke’s criticism, arguing that Prime Minister Modi did not require support from Americans because he already enjoyed the backing of “1.5 billion beautiful Indian citizens”.
Oh dear @abhijeet_dipke, the truth sets everybody free. Even you. And here's the truth: these US donors will drop you like a hot cake when you don't succeed. And you won't, because lawlessness never wins. Instead, take your U.S. education, talent, and use it for good. Sit down with the PM @narendramodi and be a positive voice to advance India. The truth of your courage to do what's right lies in your next steps. And the PM doesn't need American support. He has 1.5 billion beautiful Indian citizens who support him and have for 25 years, 12 years as PM, three consecutive terms. And will again in 2029. That's the truth.
— Mary Millben (@MaryMillben) October 14, 2026
“The PM does not need American support. He has 1.5 billion beautiful Indian citizens who support him and have done so for 25 years, including 12 years as Prime Minister and three consecutive terms. And they will again in 2029. That is the truth,” she said.
She also warned Mr. Dipke that his alleged supporters in the United States would abandon him if he failed to achieve his objectives.
“Take your US education and your talent and use them for good,” Millben said, urging him to engage constructively with the Prime Minister and contribute positively to India’s progress.
CJP protests in Delhi
The exchange came amid protests in New Delhi by Opposition parties and the CJP seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police denied permission for the CJP’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, citing alleged violations of conditions agreed upon during an earlier demonstration. The police also denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue in the national capital.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were remanded to five days in judicial custody on Wednesday (October 14, 2026), a day after they were detained along with 12 other party members for allegedly entering Jantar Mantar on Tuesday (October 13, 2026). They were detained while trying to reach the protest site.
The detentions have drawn criticism from several Opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke has also called for a nationwide “Lehra Do Tiranga” demonstration to protest against the arrests.