A new headache for Narendra Modi
A recent youth-led movement in India has shaken the country's political landscape. The movement, called the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), emerged around Delhi's iconic Jantar Mantar, a site long associated with political protests. However, never before has Jantar Mantar witnessed a movement that, in less than eight weeks, created a new political force capable of compelling the Indian state to retreat.
The origins of the movement trace back to Abhijit Dipke, who was studying in Boston when India's Chief Justice, Surya Kant, allegedly referred to unemployed young people and social activists as "parasites" and "cockroaches." Dipke transformed the derogatory remark into an internet meme.
By the time he launched CJP's activities in Delhi on June 6, nearly 20 million people were already following the movement's hashtag on social media. Given the fate of many civic movements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, few initially believed this protest would succeed. But the events of last Saturday changed that perception.
Out of curiosity, I visited Jantar Mantar on June 6. The gathering that day was moderate in size, but unlike typical demonstrations, it was marked by the overwhelming presence of young people.
Previously, I had witnessed students from Jamia Millia Islamia University protesting against the Modi government's controversial citizenship law. Their courage and ideals had ultimately been crushed through police repression and orchestrated violence. A similar shadow of state suppression loomed over this new CJP movement.
Six weeks later, on July 20, the day designated for the march toward Parliament, the atmosphere at Jantar Mantar had changed dramatically. The protest had intensified following an indefinite hunger strike.
The government forcibly removed the lead hunger striker, Sonam Wangchuk, and admitted him to a hospital, believing that his absence would demoralize the protesters. Instead, the opposite happened.
While thousands of police officers were deployed, hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in the capital. The government had failed to anticipate such an overwhelming turnout.
Later that afternoon, Delhi Police charged the crowd with batons and fired tear gas. The brutality shocked many observers. Yet the protesters were highly adept at using digital technology. Their smartphones became both cameras and instruments of resistance. Images of smiling young demonstrators standing their ground amid baton charges and tear gas spread rapidly across social media, reaching millions of homes throughout India.
Unlike the protests led by Muslim students at Jamia Millia Islamia, which were eventually suppressed, the "Cockroach Movement" did not meet the same fate. One reason was that the movement was not centered on Muslim identity.
Instead, it reflected the anger of India's middle-class families over corruption and malpractice in medical entrance examinations. As a result, the government and much of the mainstream media found it difficult to dismiss the movement as an "anti-national conspiracy."
Moreover, the protests took place in the heart of Delhi, just steps away from Parliament. The government struggled to contain the massive gathering of young demonstrators in the capital. Every scene of police violence met with remarkable courage from the protesters, creating a powerful digital narrative that resonated with millions across the country.
One of the movement's principal demands was the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Achieving that goal seemed nearly impossible, as Narendra Modi had never previously dismissed a cabinet minister under political pressure. To preserve his image as a strong leader, he had consistently refused to yield. This time, however, circumstances were different.
The Modi government initially tried to defuse the protests through various assurances. When those efforts failed, it ultimately backed down, and on July 25, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister. With state elections in Uttar Pradesh scheduled for next year, Modi reportedly realized that failing to calm the anger at Jantar Mantar could cost the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dearly at the polls.
According to left-wing groups and many political analysts, the education minister's resignation represents only a symbolic victory rather than meaningful structural change.
Pradhan's successor, Pralhad Joshi, is also a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu nationalist organization. In 2022, he publicly defended the early release of those convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. CJP leaders, however, see the matter differently. They argue that Pradhan merely represented Modi's authority and that forcing the prime minister to publicly concede was the movement's true objective.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the movement has been the confidence and eloquence of its young leaders. Zohran Mamdani, the 35-year-old mayor of New York, has become something of an inspiration for many of them. CJP's Dalit leader, Abhijit Dipke, is only 30 years old.
Government negotiator Ashutosh Rankar is the same age, while spokesperson Sourav Das is just 26. Neha Bora, president of the left-wing student organization AISA, is only 25. Together, they have demonstrated exceptional organization, composure, and leadership under pressure. The Jantar Mantar movement has produced a new generation of "Mamdanis" in Indian politics—young leaders who may become a lasting political challenge for the Modi government.
Author: Mukul Kesavan is a distinguished essayist and writer based in New Delhi, India