Youth-led cockroach protests to challenge PM Modi

A youth‑led coalition of environmental activists announced on Tuesday that it will stage a series of public demonstrations across several major cities next month, expanding on a series of rallies held earlier this year. The group, which identifies itself as the Green Futures Network, said the new actions are intended to pressure national legislators to adopt stricter carbon‑emission targets before the upcoming parliamentary session. Organizers have scheduled three main events: a march in the capital on May 12, a sit‑in at a regional government office on May 18, and a coordinated climate‑justice rally in three coastal towns on May 24.

The movement’s spokesperson explained that the demonstrations will feature speeches from student leaders, policy briefings, and a symbolic “climate strike” in which participants will pause work and study for a half‑day to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis. Police have been notified and have pledged to facilitate the events while maintaining public safety, though they have also warned of possible disruptions to traffic and public transport. The planned actions follow a series of earlier protests that drew several thousand participants and prompted a parliamentary committee to review the country’s climate legislation. The upcoming demonstrations are expected to draw increased media attention and may influence the legislative agenda when the new session convenes in June.