Revolt of the Cockroaches: How India’s Gen Z Humbled Modi
Armed with a thousand memes, young protesters in Delhi and across the nation have delivered a fatal blow to the Indian leader's carefully constructed image.
In Stephen King's horror anthology series Creepshow, the character Upson Pratt, a wealthy businessman with a fear of germs and contamination, faces an overwhelming infestation of cockroaches in his high-rise penthouse. Despite constant efforts to eliminate them, the cockroaches continue to multiply and spread, eventually overwhelming Pratt.
This story serves as a metaphor for the uprising of India's Generation Z, who have united against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's perceived consolidation of power and control over various national institutions.
In June 2026, 30-year-old student Abhijeet Dipke, who had previously worked in political communications, was inspired by Chief Justice Surya Kant's disparaging remarks about the country's unemployed youth as "cockroaches." Dipke formed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) as a satirical response to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party's meme-like name quickly gained popularity, amassing 20 million followers on Instagram.
The Gen Z protests began when Dipke arrived at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, a traditional protest site, on June 6, 2026, with a small group of supporters. Over time, the protests grew in size and intensity, eventually reaching tens of thousands of participants. The movement was fueled by frustration over various issues, including the cancellation of medical entrance exams due to paper leaks, which left thousands of hopeful students in despair.
The protests gained momentum when prominent educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the cause, leading a 20-day hunger strike, demanding the resignation of the education minister.
The protests faced significant backlash from Modi's administration, resulting in the violent arrest and removal of activists, including Wangchuk. Following this incident, thousands of people gathered at Jantar Mantar in solidarity, highlighting the growing determination of the young protesters. The protests then expanded to other major Indian cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, and Patna, turning the movement into a nationwide youth resistance.
This surge in support ultimately forced a change within the government, compelling the education minister to resign.
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