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Abhilash Thiru | CC0 1.0

Cockroach Movement 2026

Discover how India's Gen Z turned an insult into the Cockroach Janta Party—driving massive youth protests over NEET leaks, unemployment, and political change.

A cartoon featuring a large cockroach atop a book titled "The Constitution of India," in a field of stylized flowers, with the words "THANK YOU GEN Z" above.
Abhilash Thiru | CC0 1.0

INDIA’S COCKROACH PROTESTS - Gen Z Stand Up To Modi’s Strongman Regime

Discover how an empowered youth in India has brought instability to Modi’s long-standing regime of repression. Explore in-depth insight into digital resistance and democratic accountability in India.

Gen Z transformed a petty insult into the now globally recognised "Cockroach Movement." They are taking a stand against systemic corruption, exam leaks, rampant youth unemployment, and a bleak future under Modi.

Driven by social media and grassroots organising, this youth-led uprising represents a major shift in India’s climate of fear, as widespread opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12 years in power quickly gained momentum.

Connect with valuable resources on political reform, youth-driven digital resistance, and a transparent future for India’s democracy.

Jump straight to our resources on the ➡️ Cockroach Movement

A group of people at a protest, some holding flags and signs, under a cloudy sky with trees in the background.
Sumita Roy Dutta | CC BY-SA 4.0

What Started the Cockroach Protests?

"Calling all cockroaches to come together." - digital strategist Abhijeet Dipke


In May 2026, during a Supreme Court hearing regarding the issue of fraudulent degrees, the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made derogatory remarks about unemployed youth and social media critics -

"The 'cockroaches' who don't find employment become media… social media or Right to Information activists who start attacking everyone."

Quick to respond, 30-year-old digital strategist Abhijeet Dipke launched a satirical post on X which unexpectedly ignited the Cockroach movement. Kant later clarified his remarks, stating that he was referring to fraudulent actors and not youth in general, but the damage had already been done.

A round graphic featuring a brown face with angry eyebrows and a straight mouth, surrounded by a circular outline divided into three colored segments.
Cockroach Janta Party | Public Domain

Dipke’s post was about a fictional political party called the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a play on the ruling party's name, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also set up a website and social media accounts for his new satirical party.

More than 350,000 people signed up for the party’s membership! The CJP’s Instagram account gained 11.1 million followers in just three days. The BJP (supposedly the world’s largest party) has 8.8 million followers.

The government attempted to censor their official handles, but they immediately resurfaced using alternative names. India is infamous for its suppression of traditional media, abusing its Information Technology Act for fast takedowns, censorship, scrubbing of archives, and blocking accounts.

These events coincided with an already angry youth over exam paper leaks. More than two million students had taken the exam, competing for just 140,000 places in medical school. After the paper leaks were discovered, the government forced the students to retake the exam. In total despair, at least 20 students took their lives.

India is under the grip of large-scale youth unemployment, rampant inflation and increasing systematic discrimination towards Muslims. Online activism quickly manifested into one of the largest youth-led mobilisations in recent Indian history.

Line graph showing that whilst Indian unemployment remains low but steady, the youth are suffering the most.
Statista | CC BY-ND 4.0

The protests began humbly throughout June; a few hundred people showed up at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. On June 28, prominent educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk and a group of student activists began a hunger strike to support the CJP and demand the education minister's resignation.

After more than 2 weeks on hunger strike, the police charged the protest site and forcibly removed Wangchuk and the other hunger strikers. Footage of this went viral.

Tens of thousands of protesters then showed up at the protest site in solidarity. On July 20, the protesters marched toward the Indian Parliament. The police responded violently with batons, tear gas, and pellet guns. More than 100 protesters were hospitalised.

Videos of the police brutality again went viral and attracted even more protesters in support of the CJP who completely occupyied the area. Protests began to spring up in other major Indian cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna.

“Those in power think citizens are cockroaches and parasites”…“They should know that cockroaches breed in rotten places. That’s what India is today.” - Abhijeet Dipke.

A man wearing glasses and a white shirt speaks at a podium, set against a blue backdrop with abstract designs.
Subhransu Panda | CC BY-SA 4.0

What Are The Demands Of The Cockroach Movement?

The CJP’s satirical motto on X describes itself as “A political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth. Secular – Socialist – Democratic – Lazy.”

End Examination Irregularities -

Including paper leaks, corruption in education, and the mismanagement of high-stakes entrance exams.

Youth Unemployment -

India produces more than 8 million graduates a year; once they graduate, they face an unemployment rate of more than 29%. This figure is nine times higher than for those who never attended school at all.

Resignation of India’s Education Minister -

In a major victory for the Cockroach Movement, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned after a week of mass demonstrations. Modi refused to sack Pradhan despite his role in the exam leak scandal. After ignoring the protests for weeks, his only response was to fast-track justice regarding the leaks.

Wider Education Reform -

Stating that Pradhan’s resignation was “just the beginning”, the movement will continue to push for systemic education reform and democratic rights.

Bar chart showing concerns of Indians, with unemployment at 52%, followed by education (44%) and poverty (38%). Additional issues listed below.
Statista | CC BY-ND 4.0

Youth Empowerment For A Better World

The CJP movement has been the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration in years. These protests proved that online youth movements can successfully hold major hardline governments accountable.

In a huge win for democracy, it was not political opposition that did this; it was people.

“Cockroach Janta Party is a satirical, nonexistent party, yet people believe that it is a better alternative to reality”…“That’s kind of a giant commentary on Indian political parties in general.” - Dipke.

What started as a joke has taken on a much more serious message of democratic reform, justice, accountability, and increased economic and social prospects for young people.

“For too long, people have been quiet in India,” he said. “There is a responsibility to take this moment and not laugh it off.” - Dipke.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 03.08.26, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0