Who are the women powering India's youth-led protests?
Facing online harassment and police detentions, women are taking to the streets of Indian cities in large numbers for the youth-led "Cockroach" protests. Amid a large-scale crackdown, they refuse to be seen as victims.
On July 20, Navkiran Natt and her partner ventured to the magistrate's office in New Delhi, only to find a tense atmosphere as police gathered to disperse a youth-led protest marching on Parliament. The protest, known as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), aimed to pressure India's then-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign.
The protesters faced heavy resistance from security forces who deployed batons, tear gas, and pellet guns, resulting in injuries and detentions. Natt later joined a protest on October 10, observing people leaving their homes to support the cause despite barricades and state violence.
The CJP originated as a satirical online movement after Chief Justice Surya Kant referred to unemployed youth as 'cockroaches' in a casual remark. The name is an ironic play on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After successfully pushing Pradhan out of office, the CJP now seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following the removal of over 130 million names from electoral rolls.
Neha Bora, a student leader and president of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation (CPI-ML), has emerged as a prominent figure in the protests. Bora has actively engaged with the movement, dodging police, climbing barricades, and addressing press conferences. Despite the challenges, Bora and other women and LGBTQ+ activists remain unyielding, rejecting the notion of being portrayed as victims. They emphasize the need to be recognized as political and free beings.
The protests also come amid heightened awareness of women's safety and autonomy in India, following a recent gang rape case. Activist Kavita Krishnan highlights the shift in perception, urging people to see protesters as political beings rather than victims. However, the activism comes at a cost, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ protesters who face sexualized backlash, online harassment, and physical abuse. Despite these obstacles, the protesters continue to take to the streets, undeterred by the consequences.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
