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🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

‘It felt wonderful to be Indian’: ‘Cockroaches’ celebrate hard-won victory, vow to keep fighting

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrated a victory after a five-week protest in New Delhi, following the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • The minister's resignation met one of the CJP's key demands for education sector reforms, marking a rare instance of a minister stepping down under pressure during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure.
  • The celebration at Jantar Mantar contrasted sharply with previous scenes of police violence against protesters, highlighting the protesters' resilience and the impact of their sustained campaign.

The area around New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, typically a site for fiery speeches, transformed into a jubilant party zone on July 25 as supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) celebrated a significant victory. Hindi dance music filled the air, with crowds dancing and cheering, their excitement occasionally drowning out the music.

The festivities erupted after India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned earlier that day, yielding to one of the CJP's primary demands for reforms in the education sector. The resignation followed a sit-in protest that lasted over five weeks. The CJP called off its demonstrations shortly after the minister's announcement and received assurances from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government regarding its other demands.

"It is a win for democracy, for the Gen Z, for the youth," said Arjun Kumar, a 22-year-old Delhi resident. "It’s the first time that this government has been held accountable in 12 years." Pradhan's resignation is only the second instance of a minister being forced out due to a scandal since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, a notable challenge to his administration's perceived invincibility.

It is a win for democracy, for the Gen Z, for the youth. It’s the first time that this government has been held accountable in 12 years.

— Arjun KumarA 22-year-old Delhi resident celebrated the victory, highlighting the significance of the government's accountability.

Despite the euphoria, volunteers like Karan Maru, a dancer and choreographer who flew in from Mumbai, were seen cleaning up the venue late into the night. Maru described the feeling as akin to India winning independence again, a "new beginning." Anonymous graffiti at the site captured the prevailing sentiment: "For the first time in years, it felt wonderful to be Indian."

The joyous scenes stood in stark contrast to events just days earlier, on July 20, when police and paramilitary forces used batons, tear gas, and allegedly pellet guns against students attempting to march to Parliament. This police action, however, seemed to fuel the movement, intensifying anger against the Modi government.

It is as if they are celebrating a new beginning.

— Karan MaruA volunteer described the celebratory atmosphere, likening it to a new start for India.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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