India's 'unserious' gen Z are protesting with grit and humour

In Mumbai, 21-year-old Neerav dons a homemade Superman suit to join protests demanding accountability over alleged leaks in India's highly competitive medical entrance exam. Thousands of young Indians are calling for the education minister's resignation after over 2 million students were forced to retake the test, with 20 reportedly dying by suicide.

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I was scared to be on the ground but I got a lot of support after wearing the costume. Wearing it meant I could be there as a helping hand, as a symbol of hope and make the situation a little less tense.

Neerav explained that the costume provided courage and symbolized hope, making the tense situation less daunting. "Wearing it meant I could be there as a helping hand, as a symbol of hope and make the situation a little less tense," he told the ABC. Fellow protesters found his presence a source of relief, with Neerav noting Superman would "question the government's authority and the deaths of students."

Across India, Gen Z is employing meme culture and creative tactics in their protests. Videos of young women filming "fit checks" amidst demonstrations and youths syncing their escape from police to mobile game music have gone viral. Some protesters have even approached police lines offering roses, only to be chased away.

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I know he [Superman] would question the government's authority and the deaths of students.

The protests are largely organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a group that began as a satirical movement, referencing a Chief Justice's comment comparing some youth to "cockroaches." Despite Gen Z being labeled India's "most unserious" generation, this movement demonstrates their determination to fight for accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Experts note this protest movement is one of the largest in India in over a decade, with young participants like 18-year-old Aryan finding inspiration in the use of superhero imagery, seeing it as a symbol that "things can change, things can get better, maybe we are not doomed to lose."

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It showed that we are inspired by iconic characters that have been known to fight for hope and [against] injustice. And it inspires a hope that things can change, things can get better, maybe we are not doomed to lose.