India’s ‘Cockroach’ youth movement founder arrives in New Delhi to protest Modi

CJP supporters jokingly describe themselves as unemployed, perpetually online and shut out of meaningful influence. But beneath the humour lies a broader criticism of Modi’s government, as they argue that ordinary Indians, particularly young people, have been left with fewer opportunities.

India has nearly 400 million people aged 15 to 29, and generating non-farm jobs for them remains one of its biggest challenges despite rapid growth. The urban youth jobless rate was nearly 14% in April.

Many educated young people are also stuck in low-paid or insecure jobs that do not match their skills, economists say.

CJP’s rise echoes a similar trend across South Asia of youth movements born out of social media playing a central role in anti-government protests, including uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and unrest in Nepal.

Political analysts say the group’s popularity has begun to dent Modi’s image despite his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s recent victories in key state elections, even as wider frustration grows over rising fuel prices and gas shortages brought by the Iran war.

Still, the movement’s sceptics, particularly supporters of Modi’s party, have dismissed the phenomenon as little more than a social-media gimmick. They argue the movement’s online popularity may not translate into street mobilisation and that its rapid rise is likely fleeting.