“What would happen if all the cockroaches got together?” The youth movement that could change India's politics
An initiative born as an internet joke has turned into one of the most surprising challenges to the government led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The founders of the Cockroach Janta Party movement / PHOTO: X
The message to the young people was simple: “Get ready to fill the streets of Delhi with a peaceful and solidarity protest.” The response exceeded the organizers' expectations.
Over the weekend, thousands of people took part in the first public demonstration organized by the so-called Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a movement that initially emerged online but quickly attracted the support of a generation increasingly frustrated by the lack of economic opportunities and difficulties in the education system.
“The youth of this country will no longer live in fear. They will fight for their rights“, said the movement's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, who came from the United States to participate in the protest.
From online satire to protest movement
The move came after India's Supreme Court chief compared unemployed youth to “parasites” and “cockroaches” in a public hearing, comments that sparked strong online backlash.
Outraged by these statements, Dipke launched a tongue-in-cheek question on social media: “What would happen if all the cockroaches got together?”
The message went viral. A website, social media accounts and a satirical manifesto criticizing the government's policies soon emerged. The slogan chosen was: “A political party for the people the system forgot to count.”
The popularity of the initiative grew rapidly. In just a few weeks, the CJP's Instagram page has amassed over 22 million followers, surpassing even the online presence of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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Frustrations related to education and jobs
Beyond the satirical tone, many young people see in this movement an expression of accumulated dissatisfaction with the educational system and the labor market.
According to recent studies, nearly 40% of Indian graduates under the age of 25 are unemployed.
Participants in the protest spoke of the extreme competition for access to universities, the high costs of private training and the lack of professional prospects after graduation.
“We are the future of this country and yet we are called cockroaches” said Mehima Fatima, a student at Delhi University. “I hope this is the beginning of a change.”
The examination system, at the heart of the complaints
One of the main reasons for the mobilization is the repeated scandals related to the national exams.
This year, the medical school entrance exam, in which more than two million candidates sit for about 130,000 seats, has been marred by allegations of subject leakage. The authorities had to cancel the test and organize a new session.
Protesters believe these incidents reflect deeper problems in the education system.
At the protest, one of the main demands was the resignation of the education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, whom the participants hold responsible for the poor handling of the situation.
“People work for years for exams that end up being compromised. And then there aren't even enough jobs,” said one of the protesters.
A challenge to the political establishment
It remains unclear whether the movement will succeed in turning into a real political force or will remain a predominantly online phenomenon.
The turnout of several thousand people at the first protest was seen by some observers as an encouraging sign, while others noted the contrast between the digital mobilization and the actual presence on the streets.
However, the rapid rise of the CJP highlights the discontent of a significant section of young Indians in a context where the Modi government and the BJP continue to dominate the national political scene.
In his address to the participants, Dipke stated that he is ready to bear personal consequences for the cause he supports.
“I turned a joke into a revolution”he declared to the crowd.
