Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old founder of India’s viral youth movement known as the Cockroach Janta Party, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to spearhead his inaugural street protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. This marks a notable transition from online activism to direct public demonstration.
Having spent the last two years in the United States, Dipke’s return sparked concerns among his family and friends about the possibility of his arrest. Security was heightened around Jantar Mantar, where dozens of police officers were stationed and roads were barricaded as protesters assembled to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Meanwhile, the Modi government has blocked the movement’s X (formerly Twitter) account within India, a move contested by the group in the Delhi High Court. Senior cabinet minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Cockroach Janta Party of seeking backing from Pakistan and other “anti-India” forces.
Since its inception in mid-May, the movement has rapidly amassed approximately 22 million followers on Instagram, becoming the largest online platform expressing youth dissatisfaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s 12-year tenure.
The protests are largely fueled by persistently high youth unemployment and recurring examination paper leaks, which have jeopardized the academic futures of millions of students. Political analysts observe that the group’s rising popularity is beginning to tarnish Modi’s image, despite the BJP’s recent electoral victories at the state level.
India’s demographic includes nearly 400 million individuals aged 15 to 29, and providing sufficient non-agricultural employment for this segment remains a significant challenge despite the country’s rapid economic expansion. The urban youth unemployment rate was close to 14 percent in April, with many educated young people stuck in low-paying or unsuitable jobs.
A spokesperson for the movement, Ashutosh Ranka, described the protest as “a peaceful movement for the youth of the nation,” adding that Dipke is prepared for “a long and big day in India’s politics.”
Public frustration has also intensified due to rising fuel prices and gas shortages linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran. Police used loudspeakers to direct protesters to the designated area at Jantar Mantar, ensuring orderly conduct during the demonstration.
