India’s Gen Z ‘cockroaches’ protest exam leaks and student suicides
8 reported
A youth-led movement in India, the Cockroach Janta Party, has emerged from online satire into street protests over alleged exam paper leaks and student suicides. Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, is on a hunger strike in New Delhi that has entered its third week, drawing supporters to a camp at Jantar Mantar. The movement began in May after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches," a term supporters embraced as a badge of resilience. Organizers are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reforms to the examination system, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide. The government has not opened negotiations or publicly acknowledged the movement's demands, according to the article. Protest organizers say they are preparing to escalate with a march to Parliament on Monday.
What’s reported
The Cockroach Janta Party formed after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches" during a hearing.
The movement amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers in a few days.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, has been on a hunger strike for three weeks in New Delhi.
The movement seeks the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks.
Organizers also demand reforms to the examination system and compensation for families of students who died by suicide.
The government has not opened negotiations or publicly acknowledged the movement's demands, and the education ministry did not respond to AP questions.
Protest turnout in New Delhi has been modest, with a few hundred people gathering most days, swelling to around 1,000 by evening.
Organizers plan a march to Parliament on Monday.
Key figures
Sonam Wangchuk, activist and hunger striker
Abhijeet Dipke, Boston University student and founder of the Cockroach Janta Party
Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Ajay Zingade, IT professional and protester
Sources: abcnews.com
