Youth protests and hunger strike signal growing dissent against Modi

New Delhi – A protest campaign dubbed the “cockroach” movement has emerged as one of the most visible displays of dissent against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recent years. Organisers, a coalition of student groups, civil‑society organisations and opposition parties, began staging coordinated rallies across major cities in late March, using the insect as a symbol of perceived governmental neglect and alleged corruption. The movement’s name references a viral social‑media post that likened the administration’s policies to a “cockroach infestation,” a metaphor that resonated with demonstrators and quickly spread to street banners, placards and digital hashtags such as #CockroachMovement.

The demonstrations have drawn thousands of participants to public squares in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad, with many chanting slogans calling for greater transparency and accountability. Authorities responded by deploying additional police units, citing concerns over public order, while several municipal bodies issued notices to remove the insect‑themed imagery from public spaces. Political analysts note that the scale of the protests, which have persisted for over a month, reflects mounting public frustration over economic slowdown, agrarian distress and recent legislative changes. The movement’s organizers have announced plans to maintain pressure through peaceful marches and a petition demanding a parliamentary debate on the issues raised.