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Cockroach Saurav Das Exposed: Got Foreign Funds, Wrote Articles For Dubious Sites, Founded “Climate Front” Which He Now Denies

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The Commune
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Saurav Das: From Kejriwal Simp Journalist To Climate Activist To CJP Spokesperson

Before becoming the chief spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Saurav Das had already built a controversial public profile. Questions have now emerged over foreign funding he received in the name of public health reporting, his long association with activist publications and advocacy platforms, and his links to a climate consultancy venture called Climate Action Front that he had publicly promoted but later appeared to distance himself from when scrutiny intensified.

As CJP attempts to project Das as the voice of a new youth movement, a closer examination of his record reveals a trail of political activism, funding controversies, climate activism, and associations that raise serious questions about the backgrounds of the people now leading the organisation.

His social media history, published writings, political advocacy, funding links, activism, and recently surfaced questions surrounding a climate consultancy venture paint the picture of a figure deeply embedded in activist networks that extend well beyond education-related concerns.

From Journalism To Activism

Das studied Journalism and Mass Communication at Amity University between 2016 and 2019.

Over the years, he wrote for several publications including The Hindu, Frontline, The Caravan, Article 14, Al Jazeera, The Wire and other outlets typically associated with India’s activist and civil liberties ecosystem.

While initially presenting himself as a reporter covering legal and governance issues, Das increasingly evolved into an activist-journalist, openly taking positions on political controversies and campaigning for specific causes and personalities.

His work gradually shifted from reporting events to participating in political narratives.

The Climate Action Front Controversy

One of the most intriguing controversies surrounding Das concerns an entity called Climate Action Front.

In May 2025, Das publicly announced the launch of Climate Action Front, describing it as a consultancy service helping companies navigate sustainability compliance, carbon accounting and climate communications.

In the announcement, Das stated that the venture offered services such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Carbon Accounting, and Climate Communications.

He also invited founders, organisations and professionals to collaborate with the venture.

However, questions emerged after social media users began investigating the organisation’s ownership structure and personnel.

Archived social media material and publicly available information appeared to show links between Climate Action Front and Shubham Thakur, a climate communications professional.

Soon after questions began circulating online, it was noticed that portions of the information connecting Saurav Das to the climate outfit were removed or altered.

The controversy escalated when a whistleblower alleged that Shubham Thakur was the son of a senior journalist covering the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament and the BJP. Mind you, he did not mention anyone’s name in particular.

It was later known that Shubham was the son of Rajesh Kumar Thakur who worked with The New Indian Express and covered news relating to the PMO, BJP, etc.

Even before the whistleblower named any names, Saurav started denying them. Now, people began wondering why Das was publicly denying any relationship with Thakur while historical online material appeared to suggest otherwise.

He wrote, “Absolutely RUBBISH! DELETE this FAKE NEWS IMMEDIATELY otherwise get ready for legal action! There is ABSOLUTELY no relation of this kind with Shubham Thakur! There is no such company that operates.”

It is noteworthy that Shubham Thakur and Saurav Das were not only connected professionally through Climate Action Front but were also probably former classmates during their undergraduate studies.

In another post he warned the whistleblower: “You are going to get sued real bad. Wait and watch.”

The episode has generated more questions than answers, particularly because the denials came despite publicly visible references to Climate Action Front that had previously been promoted by Das himself.

Funding Questions

Das has earlier faced scrutiny for funding links to foreign and non-governmental foundations. A 2023 exposé by The Pamphlet showed that he received support from the Thakur Family Foundation for public health reporting, though his published articles reportedly extended to political topics beyond health policy.

Image Source: The Pamphlet

The Thakur Family Foundation (TFF), which presents itself as an organisation promoting “public health and civil liberties,” has funded multiple Indian media outlets and journalists, including individuals associated with Alt News, The Wire, and Moneylife Foundation, under the banner of health-related reporting. These grants coincided with the publication of articles critical of India’s pharmaceutical industry, traditional medicine systems, and domestic COVID-19 response, while appearing to favour Western vaccine and corporate narratives.

TFF has also been linked to the US-based testing firm Valisure, which released reports questioning the quality of Indian-made drugs. The pattern of financial support, editorial influence, and timing of campaigns indicates an organised effort to erode confidence in Indian generics and Ayurveda. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TFF-funded content appeared in The Wire and Alt News, amplifying narratives that portrayed India’s pandemic management and indigenous pharmaceutical initiatives in a negative light.

Saurav Das who seems to write on “public health” only wrote articles that were critical of the government policies in this space and not otherwise.

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle
Image Source: Squind Neon X handle

The website where he is alleged to have published these ‘health’ articles are no longer active.

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle

Now let’s take a look at his Pegasus article. He amplified an anti-BJP government narrative ably aided by Thakur Foundation despite the Supreme Court not finding any evidence of spyware.

As mentioned above, Saurav has written for several publications including The Hindu, Frontline, The Caravan, Article 14, Al Jazeera, The Wire. Now it is noteworthy that The Wire received ~USD 75,000, with founder Varadarajan on Thakur’s advisory board.

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle

Additionally, when India banned anti-Hindu website Hindutva Watch, Saurav Das published a propaganda piece in Article 14 about India’s ‘censorship rules’.

Incidentally, he reshared a video shared by alleged fact-checker Mohammad Zubair of AltNews and the same was reposted by Sucheta Dalal. Incidentally, the video was against journalists perceived as supporters of PM Modi and his government.

Also, Sucheta Dalal and Zubair have been recipients of funding from Thakur Foundation.

Saurav Das & His 2025 Climate Protests

CJP’s own announcement highlighted Saurav Das’s role in the November 2025 anti-pollution protests at India Gate as a major credential.

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle

However, the protest became controversial after participants displayed banners of slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma and raised slogans such as “Comrade Hidma Amar Rahe.”

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle

The demonstration led to multiple arrests, FIRs, and allegations of clashes with police. Das publicly defended the protesters, while CJP showcased his involvement as evidence of leadership. His record has also drawn scrutiny due to his public praise for G.N. Saibaba, convicted under the UAPA for Maoist links and waging war against India, whom Das described as possessing “immortal” ideas and courage.

Image Source: Squint Neon X handle
Saurav Das’s Pattern

Saurav Das gets funding from Thakur Foundation, he writes pieces that are anti-India, anti-government; gets them published in leftist rags like Caravan and The Wire.

Saurav defends supporters of Maoist terrorists, expresses his love for them – be it GN Saibaba or terrorist Atiq Ahmed whom he reffered to as ‘Muslim ex-MLA’ in his Al-Jazeera piece.

He calls for climate related protests but supports the protest turning into a protest against a Maoist terrorist. Then CJP appoints him as Chief Spokesperson. They said they did not have any foreign influence, but as the days go, the unravelling is happening fast. Saurav Das is their spokesperson who has received foreign funding and floats a climate outfit whose connections he is now denying.

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