When youth in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and other countries recently protested for changes in politics and governance, commentators wondered if the same could happen in India.
India is vast, many said, and its linguistic, social, cultural and regional differences make it hard for the youth to unite.
Socio-cultural factors and politics keep people, especially the youth, polarised; however, Indian youth are not a monolithic block; their backgrounds, hopes and aspirations differ.
Cricket may unite them for a few hours (a form of screen and online solidarity), but bringing millions together to think, act, and decide collectively is not easy.
A culture of fear
More importantly, critics argue, the central government has, for two decades, instilled fear in the people and taken control of the media, judiciary, and other branches of governance. Dissent is not tolerated.
When media persons reported corruption, mismanagement, or government failures, authorities harassed and arrested the messengers rather than taking the message seriously and resolving it.
While a small but vocal group celebrated the government’s version, fear was palpable everywhere, among the affluent and the poor, politicians and businessmen, farmers and the working class.
The triggers
Scams were reported in the summer of 2026 in national competitive exams that screen students seeking jobs or higher studies in medicine, engineering, or law. Leaked question papers, which favoured those with access, angered the nation, especially students and parents.
Frustrated and worried, some students committed suicide.
Eager to vent anger and support structural change, millions of students and others joined the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
A student-initiated movement born in reaction to a national judge’s comment calling protestors cockroaches.
Fasts and peaceful protests, in the Gandhian way, sought reforms in how competitive exams are conducted; they began small but grew into large movements.
For the first time, the Modi government, known for refusing to accept faults or take responsibility, asked the Education Minister to resign. Finally, the students won.
A clear target
CJP kept raising issues, exposing how terrible things are in education and health.
Meanwhile, reports that the Election Commission deleted millions of Indians from the voters list angered many, and more joined the students: Social activists, public intellectuals, lawyers, judges, former bureaucrats and public servants.
The target is clear: the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation and a revision of the voters list.
Shifts in the narrative
Social media played a major role in building public confidence. Those who were afraid now share their stories and views and are no longer willing to accept the government’s version.
From kids to students, farmers to labourers, they question Modi, comically, about his promises and when he will fulfil them. The fear of being harassed or detained for questioning leaders has visibly faded.
Peaceful protests are now more frequent, in more cities, with larger numbers.
The October 10 protest in Delhi shows how the government fears the students:
Expecting large crowds, it fortified central Delhi, with several thousand security personnel stopping everyone from joining.
Political changes may take time, but the fact that many more Indians are freely sharing their views and collectively seeking a transparent, accountable and responsible government is nothing short of a miracle.
- Stanislaus Alla SJ holds a doctorate from Boston College, USA. He is an internationally published writer with an interest in ethical issues. He currently teaches at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. He tried to join the protest but was stopped. He has written a piece for Indian Currents.