In recent weeks, India has seen the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi crack down on a group of students who created a satirical parody account called 'Cockroach Janta Party' (CJP). The incident began when Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant compared unemployed young people pursuing journalism and social activism to 'cockroaches and parasites.'
The CJP account quickly amassed millions of followers on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), attracting coverage from outlets like BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and France 24. Instead of dialogue, the Modi administration treated the action as a 'national security threat' and 'violation of India's sovereignty.' The group's page was blocked domestically, its website was taken down, ministers alleged the founder was influenced from abroad, and a petition was filed in the Supreme Court demanding action against CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke. One commentator described this as 'using a cannon to kill a mosquito.'
The crackdown reflects deep discontent among India's youth, who face a weak job market, extreme weather, and exam scandals. Most recently, the national medical entrance exam was leaked, while students were also hit by a grading scandal. Young people expressing frustration on social media were labeled 'Pakistanis' by state broadcaster Doordarshan. The exam scandals have led to a series of student suicides, but Prime Minister Modi has offered no words of comfort.
The government's indifference also showed when 67 people died from heat in Telangana in a single day, yet Modi took time to offer condolences over a mining accident in Shanxi province, China. During a trip to Europe, Modi refused to answer a question from Norwegian journalist Helle Lyng Svendsen about press freedom. The Indian embassy in Oslo later held a press conference to respond, with remarks seen as lacking substance. Svendsen was subsequently attacked online by pro-government accounts.
Many observers say the Modi administration's response reveals its 'thin skin' over simple questions and young people's satirical tweets. Amid controversial economic policies, inflation, and H-1B visa restrictions, domestic discontent is growing. While the BJP remains an election-winning machine, its governance is questioned, and suppressing youth criticism could lead to radicalization.
