Key facts
- Abhijeet Dipke, founder of India's Gen Z 'cockroach' movement, has returned to India.
- The movement gained prominence by addressing graduate unemployment and exam paper leaks.
- The CJP's X account was temporarily blocked in India under national security concerns.
- The movement's protests led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Dipke stated his decision to return was a response to being labeled a national security threat.
Abhijeet Dipke, the 30-year-old founder of India's Gen Z 'cockroach' movement, has returned to his home country despite concerns about potential detention. Dipke, who recently completed a master's in public relations at Boston University, gained celebrity status in just three months after launching the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The movement began on May 16 as a spontaneous response to a remark by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who likened jobless youngsters to cockroaches. Although the Chief Justice later clarified his comments were directed at those using fake degrees, the remark sparked widespread outrage.
Dipke's post on X went viral, encouraging him and former colleagues to launch the CJP, a name playing on the chief justice's remark and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The campaign faced trolling from government supporters, and its website and X account were briefly taken down in India. Dipke received a notice stating the account was withheld under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, citing 'sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State.' The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology did not respond to BBC queries, but reports indicated 'national security concerns' as the reason for the block.
Dipke stated that the decision to return to India was a direct response to being called a national security threat by his own government. He expressed hurt, questioning why his government would not stand by him while he was abroad. He decided to return to demonstrate that he is not a threat and that his love for his country differs from the government's definition. A lawyer had advised him against returning, warning of potential detention under the National Security Act.
Despite fears of reprisal, Dipke felt compelled to return to avoid betraying his followers. The movement resonated with young Indians due to concerns over education and employment, with a government report indicating a 29.1% unemployment rate for graduates. The CJP also capitalized on broader public anger following a national medical entrance exam paper leak scandal, which led to student suicides. Dipke stated that focusing on the paper leak was a response to the core frustration expressed by followers.
The CJP's initial protest on June 6 saw hundreds of attendees, but support grew, partly due to activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike. A turning point occurred on July 20 when police used force, including tear gas and batons, to disperse protesters marching towards parliament. Images of young protesters being met with force generated significant public support, leading to larger demonstrations and support from opposition parties. Prime Minister Modi released videos addressing the youth about action against exam leak culprits, but this fueled backlash as protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On July 25, Pradhan stepped down, citing a desire to prevent 'anti-national elements' from exploiting the situation. This swift climbdown by the government was seen as remarkable, given the movement's recent emergence.