Protester networks are challenging Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s power. Here’s what every leader needs to learn

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a globally influential leader, has faced growing challenges from protest networks. Massive demonstrations, spearheaded by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, have forced the education minister to resign, challenging the aura of invincibility that Modi's government has long enjoyed. This is not the first time such movements have emerged; Eastern European color revolutions, the Arab Spring, and corporate uprisings such as Nike labor practices and data center protests have all exhibited similar patterns.

These movements typically begin small before exploding in what network scientists call an instantaneous phase transition. Once leaders recognize the movements, it is often too late to prevent their spread. However, understanding the common structure of these movements enables more effective responses. Every revolution inspires a counterrevolution, and the exercise of power itself generates resistance.

Power breeds resentment, particularly when people perceive that its rewards are reserved for insiders. The failure to maintain shared values and project a preferred identity often leads to this failure. External triggers can also set off cascades, transforming isolated pockets of dissent into widespread movements. Institutions, however, play a crucial role in sustaining power and enabling movements to achieve significant goals.

In India, the Cockroach Janta Party gained support from student organizations, and opposition parties amplified its demands. The turning point came when the government negotiated with the movement and accepted its demands, demonstrating that effective leadership can navigate these challenges.