Dipke Brings 22 Million-Follower Cockroach Movement to New Delhi Streets Against Modi
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 6
Dipke Brings 22 Million-Follower Cockroach Movement to New Delhi Streets Against Modi
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 6
Summary
Abhijeet Dipke, 30, arrived in New Delhi to lead the Cockroach Janta Party's first street protest against Narendra Modi's government, despite fears from family and friends that he could be arrested.
Dozens of police officers ringed Jantar Mantar, barricaded nearby roads and directed demonstrators to a designated site as protesters demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
The movement has grown to about 22 million Instagram followers since mid-May, while the government has blocked its X account in India and accused it of links to Pakistan and an "anti-India gang".
Youth anger over recurring exam-paper leaks and weak job prospects has powered the surge: India has nearly 400 million people aged 15 to 29, and the urban youth unemployment rate was nearly 14% in April.
Analysts say the online uprising has started to dent Modi's image even after recent state-election wins, as broader frustration builds over fuel-price increases and gas shortages tied to the Iran war.