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Mary Millben and Abhijeet Dipke traded accusations on X over alleged foreign funding. Their exchange intensified the political row surrounding protests against electoral roll revisions.
Image used for representational purposes only
Washington,Oct 15, 2026 00:22 IST
American singer Mary Millben and Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke exchanged barbs on X on Wednesday over the alleged foreign funding of the outfit leading protests in India.
Millben claimed that the CJP was funded by US donors opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged young Indians to peacefully protest against the party. Dipke questioned the right of foreign nationals to interfere in India's internal affairs and accused Modi of seeking American support to discredit his countrymen.
The exchange came amid protests in New Delhi by opposition parties and the CJP demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Responding to Millben, Dipke said, "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."
Millben said the Prime Minister did not need American support as he had the backing of Indian citizens. "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," she said.
She also cautioned Dipke that his alleged 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 US education, talent, and use it for good," Millben said, urging him to "sit down with PM Modi and be a positive voice to advance India".
"The truth of your courage to do what's right lies in your next steps," she added.
Earlier, the 41-year-old singer claimed that Dipke and his party were "funded by donors in the US who are against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your future under his leadership".
Calling it "not the time to be silent", Millben urged "all the beautiful young patriots in India" to stand up and peacefully protest what she described as disruptive forces.
"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," she wrote.
Millben alleged that select donors followed a global pattern of targeting conservative leaders, identifying a US-educated person from the country, radicalising them and funding them to create unrest. "None of them has been successful but has impacted the development and governance of the country," she said.
She said there should always be a counter-movement to uphold democracy and freedom. "It is time for a new voice in #India, born, raised, educated on the soil of India, to RISE UP, organise, and peacefully protest the disruptive spirit of the Cockroach Party... Rise up, young patriots! Rise up!" she said.
Millben, a prominent African-American Hollywood actress and singer, is popular in India for her renditions of the national anthem and the religious song 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare'. She sang 'Jana Gana Mana' at an event in the US during Modi's visit in 2023.
The public exchange centred on Millben's allegations about the CJP's foreign funding and Dipke's objection to what he called outside interference, against the backdrop of protests over the revision of electoral rolls.
With PTI Inputs
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