India’s Gen Z ‘Cockroach’ Party Rallies Around Hunger Strike
8 reported1 unconfirmed
A youth-led movement in India, the Cockroach Janta Party, has rallied around activist Sonam Wangchuk as he enters the third week of a hunger strike in New Delhi. The movement emerged 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. The party, founded by Boston University student Abhijeet Dipke, demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks and seeks reforms to the college entrance exam system. Wangchuk, a 59-year-old climate activist, has become a symbol of the protest, which has drawn thousands of supporters to rallies in multiple cities. Organizers say the government has not responded to their demands, and they are preparing to escalate with a march to Parliament. The movement has amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers but has seen modest turnout in New Delhi, with crowds typically reaching around 1,000 by evening.
What’s reported
The Cockroach Janta Party formed in May after Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared some unemployed young people to "cockroaches."
Activist Sonam Wangchuk, 59, is on a hunger strike in its third week at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The movement demands the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam paper leaks, reforms to the examination system, and compensation for families of students who died by suicide.
The party has more than 21 million Instagram followers.
Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University student, is the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party.
Organizers plan a march to Parliament on Monday.
The government has not opened negotiations or publicly acknowledged the movement's demands, according to the article.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the movement's members of working against the country, per the article.
Open questions
The article does not specify the exact number of student suicides or the specific details of the alleged exam paper leaks.
Key figures
Sonam Wangchuk, activist on hunger strike
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party
Surya Kant, Supreme Court Chief Justice
Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister
Ajay Zingade, IT professional and protester
Sources: abcnews.com
