Why have India’s Gen Z protesters called for a march to parliament?

Indian police used force against protesters of the Cockroach Janata Party movement during a planned march to Parliament, according to footage shared online. The incident occurred as tens of thousands of demonstrators, mostly students, prepared to take part in a large-scale demonstration demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his education minister. This marks one of the most significant public expressions of dissent against the government in recent years. The protests, known as the Cockroach movement, gained momentum following a series of scandals involving examination paper leaks, technical failures, and the cancellation of exams. These issues sparked widespread outrage, particularly among young people who feel the education system is failing them. The movement, organized under the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has become a symbol of resistance against perceived corruption and inefficiency within the administration. Supporters of the movement have occupied New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, a well-known protest site located near Parliament. For nearly a month, activists have gathered there, drawing attention to their demands for educational reform and accountability. The situation escalated when police officers forcibly removed activist Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site on Saturday. Wangchuk had begun a 20-day hunger strike in solidarity with the movement, citing concerns over the treatment of students affected by the exam scandals. Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, claimed that her husband was taken to hospital against his will and accused the government of using medical care as a pretext for illegal detention. The authorities stated that the action was based on a court order and due to Wangchuk's deteriorating health condition. This incident has further inflamed tensions, leading to calls for more direct confrontation with the government. Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, has intensified his demands, urging supporters to march to Parliament on Monday, the start of the monsoon session. Dipke, a former Boston University student, initially launched the movement as a satirical response to a remark by India's top judge comparing government critics and unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites." The comment resonated widely, prompting Dipke to create a social media campaign that quickly gained traction. The movement has attracted a broad base of support, including other activist groups and political parties, who have endorsed the call for a march. The involvement of Gen Z, the country's largest demographic group, underscores the depth of public frustration. Young people in India face high levels of unemployment, economic inequality, and religious tensions, compounded by the government's declining performance in key democratic indicators. The protests reflect a broader trend of youth-driven activism across South Asia, with similar movements emerging in neighboring countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, resulting in the ousting of several governments. In India, the movement has evolved from an online phenomenon into a physical presence, with participants demanding systemic changes to the education sector and greater transparency in governance. As the planned march approaches, security measures have increased significantly, with police and paramilitary forces deployed throughout the city. The outcome of the demonstrations could influence future policy decisions and public sentiment towards the government. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments likely to shape the trajectory of the movement in the coming days.