Why supporters of India's 'Cockroach' movement marched on parliament

Thousands of protesters, under the banner of the satirical 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP), marched on India's parliament demanding the resignation of the education minister. The demonstration, which saw police use batons and tear gas against demonstrators reportedly hurling stones, represents a significant public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.

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There are youngsters like cockroaches who don't get any employment or have any place in the profession.

The CJP, which began as a social media project in May, has rapidly attracted millions of followers. Its name and messaging parody Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and respond to criticisms of "parasites" attacking institutions, initially made by India's Supreme Court Chief Justice. The movement's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, described its growth as unintentional, fueled by memes and commentary on corruption, job shortages, and political dysfunction.

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It is the younger people who were actually very frustrated. They didn't have any outlet. They were really angry at the government.

Experts suggest the CJP's popularity reflects widespread frustration among young Indians concerning unemployment and frequent exam leaks. The current protests are specifically linked to a scandal involving the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for medical school. Paper leaks in May forced approximately 2 million students to retake the exam, and reports indicate that at least 12 students who had to resit died by suicide. Dipke and his supporters have been staging a sit-in, and activist Sonam Wangchuk joined them, launching an indefinite hunger strike. Wangchuk was forcibly moved to a hospital by police, an action Dipke condemned as a "kidnapping."

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kidnapped by the police like criminals and goons