Who are and what do the "roaches" behind the mass demonstrations in India want?

Hundreds of thousands of young Indians have gathered peacefully at Jantar Mantar, the iconic political protest site in New Delhi, since June 20. Despite the ongoing monsoon rains, the sit-in continues uninterrupted, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. Saurav Das, spokesperson for the Cockroach People’s Party (CPP), tells Mediapart that the movement has attracted nearly 200,000 participants. “This is an enormous number for a movement that emerged just two months ago,” he says. The gathering reflects growing frustration over systemic failures and corruption, particularly within the education sector. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of Education, whom they accuse of responsibility for the scandal surrounding the leak of examination topics and the subsequent annulment of the 2026 Medical Entrance Exam. Over two million candidates had prepared for this crucial test, yet the government’s mismanagement has left many disillusioned. With India’s economy growing at a modest 6 percent, it fails to generate enough jobs for its 600 million youth under the age of 25. This lack of opportunity has led to widespread despair, with some individuals even resorting to suicide. Repeated scandals involving corruption have eroded public trust and dashed hopes for stable employment. The last major student-led movement, which opposed a controversial citizenship law criticized for its Islamophobic provisions, was brought to an end by the pandemic and the arrest of its leaders. Some remain incarcerated, while others continue to face legal challenges. Although protests today are smaller than those of 2020, participating in them requires increasing courage, especially given the heightened political climate. So far, the government has not violently suppressed the CPP, nor has it conceded to their demands. A tense standoff has developed between the activists and authorities, with the protesters hoping to break through this impasse by marching toward Parliament on July 20. The movement, initially rooted in satire, has evolved into a serious political force challenging the status quo. The origins of the CPP trace back to an unexpected source, India’s Supreme Court. On May 15, Chief Justice Surya Kant criticized “those young people who, like cockroaches, find no work and attack everyone.” His remarks, made during a court session, gained traction after the cancellation of the medical entrance exams. The phrase “cockroaches” became a rallying cry, symbolizing the struggles of the unemployed youth. Abhijeet Dipke, an Indian student studying in the United States, founded the Cockroach People’s Party on the platform formerly known as X. Initially intended as a humorous jab at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the party quickly gained momentum. Its name, a direct mockery of the BJP, resonated with a generation frustrated by political apathy and corruption. The movement’s online presence expanded rapidly, despite temporary government attempts to block its accounts. Today, the CPP’s Instagram page boasts over 21 million followers, surpassing the BJP’s digital footprint, despite the latter’s well-established media infrastructure. The government finds itself in a precarious position, aware of the deepening unrest among the youth. While the CPP started as a satirical group, it has transformed into a powerful voice calling for accountability. It now demands the resignation of officials, exposes political collusion, and critiques election fraud, media monopolization, and political defections. Saurav Das, a journalist and activist, explains that the movement has become “the platform for real change.” On June 6, Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the movement from the United States, began organizing more structured actions, moving beyond mere satire. The CPP is now actively pushing for tangible reforms, signaling a new phase in India’s political discourse. As the movement grows, so too does its influence, challenging the traditional power structures that have long governed the nation.