Gen Z Turns Humour Into Protest Power

On July 18th, a satirical movement emerged in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where millions of people, particularly Gen Z, gathered to protest against the government's handling of national issues. The movement, known as the Cockroach Janta Party, was founded by Abhijeet Dipke and used humour to mobilise people.

The protests were sparked by a comment made by the Chief Justice of India, who compared the country's unemployed youth to 'cockroaches'. However, instead of being offended, the youth embraced the insect as a symbol of resilience.

Rennie Gupta, an 18-year-old protester, explained that 'meme culture is huge for us. A lot of people printed out memes they'd seen on Instagram, and people, you know, they're familiar with these memes so they looked at it and they laughed.'

The protests quickly spread across over 150 cities, with young people staging mock political rallies for the cockroach mascot. They used memes, short videos, and Instagram carousels to mock the government's handling of national exam scandals, including the NEET 2026 paper leak.

The protesters also used humour to make their point, with placards reading 'This govt lies more than my ex' and 'Ache din kab leak honge?', taking a jab at both the NEET leak and the BJP's old campaign slogan.

However, the protests turned violent on July 20, when police began a baton charge at the Patel Chowk barricade. Despite this, the protesters remained peaceful, with three young women forming a human chain and attempting to talk to the police.

The police used tear gas, and one of the women was hurt in the crush that followed. However, the protesters continued to use music and solidarity as a form of resistance, singing the national anthem and dousing tear gas shells in pothole water.

The protests have shown that Gen Z is using humour as a powerful tool for protest, and that they will not be silenced by violence or intimidation.

The use of humour in the protests has also highlighted the creativity and resilience of the youth, who are using whatever means necessary to make their point.

In the end, the protests have sparked a national conversation about the role of humour in protest and the power of Gen Z to bring about change.

The movement has also shown that even in the face of violence and adversity, the youth will continue to use their creativity and humour to resist and to bring about change.

The protests have been a masterclass in protest as performance art, with the youth using their creativity and humour to make their point and to bring about change.

The Cockroach Janta Party has become a symbol of the power of Gen Z to bring about change, and their use of humour has inspired a new generation of protesters.

The movement has also highlighted the importance of creativity and humour in protest, and has shown that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for change.

In conclusion, the protests have shown that Gen Z is a force to be reckoned with, and that they will not be silenced by violence or intimidation.

Their use of humour has inspired a new generation of protesters, and has highlighted the importance of creativity and humour in protest.

The movement has sparked a national conversation about the role of humour in protest, and has shown that even in the face of adversity, the youth will continue to use their creativity and humour to resist and to bring about change.