India’s youth-led “Cockroach” movement has emerged as a new political challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. Analysts believe the resignation of the education minister under pressure from student protests, defeats in by-elections, and the party’s failed attempts to win over young people on social media are together forcing the BJP to reconsider its approach.
The youth-led movement in India, known as the “Cockroach Janata Party” or CJP, has put pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP’s political strategy. Facing seven straight weeks of protests, the country’s education minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, resigned. Soon after, the BJP’s defeat in several by-elections sparked fresh discussion.
The movement spread among young people out of anger over unemployment, leaked job exam questions, and the education system. Sparked by a remark from India’s Chief Justice, a platform satirically named the “Cockroach Janata Party” emerged on Instagram last May. It later became one of the defining symbols of the student and youth movement. The movement was not confined to Delhi alone — its influence spread to various cities across India.
A blow in the by-elections
The BJP lost two of three by-elections held in the first week of August. Among these, the party’s defeat in Bihar’s Bankipur seat drew particular attention. Losing this seat, held by the BJP for nearly three decades, is being viewed as a major political blow.
However, analysts say it would be premature to conclude, based solely on by-election results, that the BJP’s strength has diminished. In India’s political reality, the BJP remains a powerful and highly organized electoral force.
Trying to reach young people
Taking youth anger seriously, the BJP has also begun new efforts to reach them. Modi has released several videos on social media. The party is also running new types of campaigns on Instagram and other platforms to attract young people.
A special outreach program for young people has been launched in Uttar Pradesh. However, the BJP’s social media campaigns have in many cases instead drawn criticism and ridicule.
According to analysts, the ease with which the BJP was once able to spread its political message, particularly among young people, no longer holds the same influence. The party’s conventional campaign strategies are not proving effective on decentralized social media platforms like Instagram.
Old tactics aren’t working either
Analysts believe the BJP’s old political tactic of portraying protesters against the party as anti-national, foreign-funded, or conspiratorial has not proven particularly effective this time.
One defining feature of this movement is the participation of young people across various religions, castes, and social classes. Even upper-caste Hindu youth, typically seen as BJP supporters, have been seen taking part in the movement.
As a result, it has become difficult to identify the movement with any single religious or social group.
A new challenge facing the BJP
According to analysts, this movement may not have immediately weakened the BJP’s hold on power, but it has raised questions about the government’s political acceptance.
The BJP remains one of India’s most powerful political parties. However, the anger building among the younger generation over unemployment, education, leaked exam questions, and the future could become a major political issue in the days ahead.
A section of those involved in the movement say a single minister’s resignation is not their goal. They want change on various long-standing issues, including employment, education, caste, communalism, and anti-women politics.
However, analysts believe it is unlikely the BJP will move away from its Hindutva-based political stance. Instead, the party may try to bring religious identity and Hindutva politics even more forcefully to the forefront in the upcoming election.
Overall, it is too early to say the “Cockroach” movement has broken the foundation of BJP’s power. But there is no longer any denying that the pent-up anger among India’s youth has created a new political reality for the Modi government.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report