Instagram Reels Powered Gen Z's Anti-Paper Leak Protests, Says Chetan Bhagat
The Air Force moved sealed exam papers to 18 hubs as officials faced a nationwide retest and protests drew tens of thousands demanding accountability.
- Tens of thousands of students gathered near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi this week, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over medical entrance test paper leaks affecting 2 million students.
- The "Cockroach Janta Party" emerged after Supreme Court judge Surya Kant compared unemployed young Indians to "cockroaches" in May, following cancellation of a medical entrance exam that upended 2.27 million careers.
- India's Ministry of Home Affairs suspended mobile internet for 8 hours on Thursday within 1.5km of the protest site, citing "public order," though students adapted using Bitchat for peer-to-peer communication.
- On July 20, described by Abhijeet Dipke as a "Black Day of Democracy," the movement swelled significantly, with the CJP Instagram account amassing 25 million followers while protesters demanded accountability.
- Protests challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration amid economic pressures; unemployment reached 5.2 per cent in April 2026, fueling frustration among India's more than 370 million young people aged 15–29.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The political burden on the Narendra Modi government is mounting as anger among India's Gen Z, sparked by allegations of medical school entrance exam paper leaks, spreads into nationwide anti-government protests. According to major foreign news outlets, on the 20th (local time), Indian police forcefully suppressed young protesters who took to the streets to protest the leak using batons and tear gas. However, the protests show no signs of subsid…
Instagram Reels powered Gen Z's anti-paper leak protests, says Chetan Bhagat
Chetan Bhagat said the NEET paper leak protests have become India's first major Gen Z digital revolt. He said Instagram Reels and viral videos of police action turned student anger into a nationwide movement.
Cockroach Janta Party: India's 10 iconic public movements – from total revolution to farmers' protest
The struggle for independence is embedded in India’s protest culture. From the Chipko movement for environmental conservation to the Mandal Commission's protests against caste-based reservations, the right to protest has been India’s democratic lifeline.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
