Ramesh, a 21-year-old medical student, joined the throng of protesters outside Parliament in New Delhi. He carried a handwritten sign demanding the resignation of India’s education minister. By his side were thousands of others, many in black attire, a symbol now of the Cockroach Janta Party. The protests, held under a sweltering sun, ended in clashes with security forces deploying tear gas and batons. Yet the sit-ins continued.
Originally conceived as an online satire, the Cockroach Janta Party has since grown into a visible force. The name, a reference to India’s Supreme Court chief justice describing unemployed youth as 'cockroaches,' has taken on a new life. The movement has gained traction on Instagram, where it has attracted millions of followers, and has held protests in multiple cities. But while the online presence is strong, the on-the-ground numbers remain smaller than those of past mass movements in India.
A narrow focus and limited scale
Unlike the anti-corruption protests of 2011 or the demonstrations against sexual violence in 2012, which drew tens of thousands, the Cockroach movement focuses on a narrow set of issues, primarily education policy. The recent leak of the medical school entrance exam, which forced 2.2 million students to retake it, was the immediate catalyst. In the wake of the leak, at least a dozen students reportedly committed suicide, heightening the anger among young people.
Protesters are not only seeking accountability for the exam leak but also calling for broader reforms in the education system. Some have even demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The movement, though small in scale, is significant in an election year, as it highlights dissatisfaction among youth with Modi’s government.
A broader regional trend
The Cockroach movement is not an isolated phenomenon. Young people across South Asia are taking to the streets over education-related grievances. In Nepal, students have protested against an exam board’s negligence and new tuition taxes. In Bangladesh, campaigns calling for education reforms have gained momentum. Each of these movements reflects a shared frustration among youth—concerns about poor education standards, insufficient job opportunities, and a lack of political dignity.
The movement in India, however, carries particular weight. Since the 2024 elections, in which Modi’s BJP won a third term but had to form a coalition government for the first time, the party has been trying to project strength. The protests in New Delhi offer an unwelcome reminder that political support among the youth remains fragile.
Opportunism and opposition
The protests have also invigorated the weak opposition. On Tuesday, opposition leaders gathered outside Modi’s official residence, condemning the crackdowns on protesters. While the BJP has enjoyed a string of state election victories this year, the Cockroach movement has exposed vulnerabilities, particularly among India’s young and increasingly restless population.
For Modi’s government, the challenge lies in addressing these grievances without losing control of the narrative. With youth unemployment rising and confidence in the political system eroding, the Cockroach movement is a sign that even satirical causes can grow into real political currents.
In Nepal, students have been at the center of education-related protests, criticizing the National Examination Board for its careless handling of a 12th-grade exam, while also opposing new taxes for private school tuition. All three countries share common problems: large youth populations, longstanding frustrations with the education system, worries about a lack of jobs, and a widespread belief among young people that the state does not treat them with dignity.
These movements pose considerable challenges to their governments, even if the protest campaigns don’t pose a direct threat to their power.
The Cockroach Janta Party’s impact is still unfolding. As the protests continue, young people in New Delhi are making their voices heard, even as they remain a minority compared to past large-scale movements. Their presence on the streets highlights the growing discontent among India’s youth and serves as a powerful reminder that political dynamics are never entirely predictable.