Yves here. At times, our discussions on India’s “cockroach” movement and the BJP’s policies under Modi have drawn criticism. We aim for clarity with this piece, which explores how the CJP, or Cockroach Janta Party, is effectively rallying support by addressing growing concerns regarding the state of democracy in India.
By Amrita Basu, Professor of Political Science, and Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies, Amherst College. Originally published at The Conversation
Five months after its inception, India’s Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demonstrated the potential and challenges of youth-led democratic movements in achieving their goals.
The CJP was established in May 2026 in response to the government’s cancellation of medical school entrance exams, especially after India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant compared jobless youth to cockroaches. By July, this predominantly Gen Z movement had scored an early victory with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Since then, the CJP has shifted its focus to a pressing political issue: the Election Commission’s controversial removal of around 130 million names from the voter rolls. Starting October 2, protesters have taken to the streets of Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an immediate halt to the deletions pending an independent investigation, and the restoration of the previous electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections.
The CJP has faced significant government pushback. With a crackdown on protests, two of the movement’s spokespeople, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, were detained, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing populist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have remained firm on the voter roll controversy, accusing protesters of undermining democracy.
However, as a scholar of Indian political parties and social movements, I believe the protests led by the CJP have uncovered widespread public apprehension regarding the erosion of democracy in a nation of nearly 1.5 billion. Through their audacity and sharp wit, the CJP has achieved something that established opposition parties have struggled to do for the past 12 years: diminishing the ruling party’s perceived invincibility. In doing so, they challenge the ruling government’s narrative surrounding “the people,” the meaning of democracy, and representation for youth, women, and marginalized communities.
Defining ‘Democracy’ and ‘the People’
Modi often refers to India as the “Mother of Democracy,” invoking its civilizational legacy alongside Bharat Mata, the Hindu mother goddess. He maintains that democracy is not a Western concept but a core Indian value, aimed at providing reassurance that India has always been a democracy and will remain so.
However, several outside observers beg to differ. Sweden’s V-Dem Institute labels India an “electoral autocracy,” indicating that, while regular multiparty elections occur, the country falls short of essential democratic criteria like legislative checks and balances and active political engagement from its citizens.
When examining the treatment of dissent, the evidence is troubling: the government has used anti-terrorism laws to imprison activists without charges, blockades at protest sites, implementing internet restrictions, and resorting to police brutality.
Conversely, the CJP believes that peaceful protest and upholding the constitution are vital components of democracy. Protesters frequently share images of B. R. Ambedkar – the principal architect of the Indian constitution – on their banners, slogans, and songs. Like Ambedkar, CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, 30, identifies as a Dalit, marginalized within the Hindu caste system.
Critics assert that the BJP constructs an identity based on Hindu civilization, which excludes many and casts doubt on the loyalties of India’s substantial Muslim population, who make up about 14% of the country. In contrast, the CJP maintains an inclusive definition of community that transcends faith, caste, or birth, focusing instead on shared values and commitments.
The controversy surrounding voter rolls underscores the stakes involved. The Election Commission claims that the roll revision aims to eliminate duplicate entries, deceased voters, and noncitizens. However, concerns are high that this places undue burden on voters to prove their identities. It can be particularly challenging for disadvantaged groups like low-income Muslims, Dalits, and migrant workers to produce longstanding documents such as birth, education, and land certificates. Furthermore, those removed from electoral rolls often fear being labeled as illegal immigrants.
Cracks Appear in BJP’s Dominance
While the BJP has held power before, Modi’s 2014 election signified a transformative moment in Indian politics, disrupting the long-standing dominance of the Congress Party.
The BJP’s electoral success partly stemmed from its appeal to young first-time voters, promoting promises of jobs, economic growth, and the notion of “achhe din aane waale hain,” or “good days ahead.” While the party has overseen notable GDP growth since 2014, this progress has come with pervasive and deepening inequality impacting the youth and underprivileged communities.
Although the BJP claims progress in fulfilling campaign promises, such as merit-based public sector hiring, the unemployment rate stands at a staggering 40% among college graduates under 25. In contrast, the rate for illiterate youth remains at just around 3.4%. This paradox highlights a dramatic discrepancy, where educated individuals face unemployment rates close to 29%.
In response to rising frustrations, the CJP employs the slogan “Achhe Din” ironically in their posters and memes. Their manifesto opens with a brash statement: “If you’re going to call us cockroaches, at least cover our rent.” They advocate for recognizing the “lazy” – an implicit reference to the unemployed – as a legitimate political identity.
Underlying this humor is a significant critique: the stigmatization of those without jobs alienates millions, infringing upon the dignity and equality guaranteed by articles 21 and 14 of the Constitution.
Who Speaks for Women?
The BJP has garnered women’s support through targeted welfare programs, increased representation in governments, and extensive discourse around women’s empowerment, often referred to as “nari shakti.”
Nevertheless, numerous women protesters are challenging the government’s narrow definition of empowerment. They confront police vehicles carrying detainees, scale barriers, and openly criticize the prime minister.
One prominent figure is Neha Bora, a Ph.D. student and president of the leftist All India Students’ Association. Her blunt communication directed at Modi has gained her significant visibility. While Modi has expressed shock at the language used by young female protesters, referring to them as “misguided children” and offering to forgive them, the reality is far more complex.
A wave of women in protest articulates their profound dissatisfaction with the government’s paternalistic attitudes. They question the Hindu-inflected notion of empowerment and insist on voicing their own experiences rather than having them articulated by others. They express outrage over the government’s harsh responses to peaceful demonstrations, sharing accounts of police violence and sexual harassment. They also contend with threats from self-proclaimed guardians of religious morality, which includes doxing and sharing degrading AI-generated imagery. In light of the prime minister’s condemnation of violence against women, these events illustrate a stark contrast to his rhetoric.
‘Cockroaches Never Die’
The CJP’s motto, “Cockroaches never die,” strikes a deep chord with its supporters. Despite facing violence, detentions, internet restrictions, and police blockades, the movement has survived. The comical cockroach mascot effectively mocks traditional leader-centric nationalist branding.
Recent youth-led movements in Bangladesh and Nepal demonstrate how swiftly online mobilization can outpace governmental control. What sets the CJP apart is its combination of humor with legal and technical support. Their online platform Saakshi vault serves as a repository for images and videos of police misconduct submitted by protesters, which volunteer lawyers then use to file complaints against individual officers.
While the CJP’s recent accomplishments are impressive, they do not necessarily predict that the movement will disrupt the BJP’s grip on power in the impending 2029 parliamentary elections. Presently, the CJP’s influence is mainly urban, necessitating stronger organizational frameworks and long-term objectives.
Nonetheless, a generation disparaged by a government minister as lazy and insignificant has highlighted vulnerabilities within a system that the chief justice legitimizes. Regardless of its form, the CJP movement encapsulates a vision of democracy that demands attention and respect.
