What began as an Instagram joke unfolded into a sprawling gathering at Jantar Mantar, where young people assembled under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party. Books, flowers and Indian Tricolours dotted the crowd. Cockroach masks and pamphlets lay scattered across the pavement as students moved through the gathering, handing out flowers. The organisers framed the protest as a peaceful act of participation.
“Looking forward to meet you all at Jantar Mantar. Do not forget to carry a book and our Tiranga! Offer flowers to policemen as a gesture of compassion & gratitude. We have to lead this movement with love!” the invite read.
Gen Z’s Unique Protest Style
Even as it moves offline, the movement remains rooted in the internet-first satire that helped it resonate with Gen Z. Niharika Singh, a second-year student from LSR, was seen holding a red rose at the protest. Joining alone, she said, “The flower symbolises a peaceful protest – that we come bearing flowers with our demands, nothing else. I’m here in solidarity with all students; it’s not only people who gave entrances. It’s the fact that no one is taking accountability. I came here partly because of curiosity. I wanted to see what a party formed as a joke is capable of doing. I’m surprised to see the crowd, and it’s majorly Gen Z, which is a humorous, satirical generation in their own ways. I wish ki hamare protests bhi aise hi ho – funny and lighthearted but ones that make a difference.”
Voices from the Crowd
Carrying a chemistry book, Sameeksha from Faridabad, a first-year forensic science student, joined in support of friends who took NEET this year. She said, “Gen Z can do anything they put their mind to. No one can suppress our voice. With Gen Z, now Gen Alpha is also rising. I have seen reels of little kids talking about these important issues. This is because of social media; if we weren’t on social media, this protest would not be happening. The Internet is keeping us united.”
She added, “I really hope that there is a resolution because I have studied for NEET too, and sat in 20-hour live sessions. People give years of their lives to these exams. My parents did not want me to attend the protest, but I told them, ‘Mere education ke liye main khud ladd sakti hoon!’”
Symbolism of the Tricolour
A sign of nationalism, protesters held up the Tricolour and waved it high. Gagan, a sales worker from Agra, shared, “Tiranga aaj freedom of speech symbolise karta hai. Students ke yahan hone se protest mein josh aata hai, lekin unke gharwale darr jaate hain unki safety ke baare mein. Meri family ne bhi kaha ki main cockroach ki T-shirt na pehnu.”
Carrying Ambedkar’s autobiography and a copy of the Constitution, Gaurav, a student from DU SOL, noted, “We have brought books to show that we are students and not aggressive protesters, and we have the constitution to remind people of our rights. This being a Gen Z protest has more enthusiasm, and we are not going to back down like millennials and boomers. We are voicing the distress of students.”
Generational solidarity and flowers stood out at the protest, as young people demanded accountability and reform in the education system.
