Indian police cracked down on 'cockroach' protesters. They went home and made memes about it
Young protesters in India are using social media, memes, and viral trends to document and respond to police crackdowns during anti-government demonstrations. The movement, led by the Cockroach Janta Party, seeks government accountability regarding exam irregularities.
Why it matters
It illustrates how digital-native generations are evolving protest tactics to maintain visibility and morale despite internet shutdowns and physical police force.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, CJP protesters are responding to Monday's police violence with memes online
On Monday, 20-year-old Chhavi (name changed) paused outside a Delhi metro station on her way to what would become one of the largest anti-government demonstrations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in the Indian capital in recent years.
She balanced her phone against a railing, stepped back and filmed a quick "fit check" - a video showing off her outfit before the protest.
"Going to get beaten by cops, guys," she smiled into the camera.
Hours later, police fired tear gas and charged demonstrators with batons as tens of thousands of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) – a youth-led movement that grew from protests over exam irregularities into a broader campaign for government accountability – marched towards parliament.
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