RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesPrime Minister Narendra Modi's government caved under the pressure of student protests across India — a rarity in the current administration — underscoring the rising influence of Gen Zs in the world's largest democracy.
On Saturday, India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned , a key demand of the student protesters who were voicing concerns over examination test paper leaks.
The government also agreed to the other demands of the Cockroach Janta Party, the youth movement at the helm of the protest, such as providing compensation to the families of students who died by suicide due to the exam paper leak in May.
The protests that got amplified on social media, pushed 75-year-old Modi to make his first reel on Instagram as he looks to develop his presence on the platform in his bid to connect with the younger generation of voters. In his latest reel on Sunday, Modi promised a " HIGH POWERED TASK FORCE " led by Indian tech entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani to oversee examination reforms.
The protests exposed a growing disconnect between the Modi government and younger Indians, a generation that will dominate the electorate for decades to come, experts said.
"It's very striking to see the rhetoric and the language from these protesters," Michael Kugelman, senior fellow for the South Asian region at the Atlantic Council, told " Inside India " on Monday.
The protesters were "witheringly critical" and "profane at times toward Modi and his government," he said, adding that it was surprising given the popularity of the Modi government.
Experts highlighted that in 2027, there are several major state elections, including for Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with one of the largest youth voter bases. By 2029, in time for the next general election, Gen Zs will be the most "influential demographic," and all political parties will emphasize addressing their priorities.
"Don't make me a hero because of Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation," Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the CJP said in a speech on Saturday, adding that the "country has been ruined because of making one person a hero," in a veiled reference to the prime minister.
For much of the last decade, economic aspirations have been the driving factor for Modi's electoral appeal, experts said, but added that many young people feel the promise has not materialized amid rising unemployment and lack of upward mobility.
The CJP was launched on May 16 by political communications strategist and Boston University student Dipke, after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant referred to people attacking institutions as "parasites" and likened some unemployed youngsters and activists to "cockroaches" during a courtroom hearing.
The CJI later said his oral observations were "misquoted," but the CJP had already gone viral on social media, amassing more than 22 million followers in a short span.
The CJP called for a protest on June 6, demanding the resignation of Pradhan, blaming him for the exam paper leaks that happened in May. But the demonstration gained momentum on July 20 after Delhi Police violently cracked down against students as they breached security barricades surrounding the protest site to march towards the parliament.
The political impact of the student protest on the Modi government could potentially be significant, Arpit Chaturvedi, South Asia advisor at Teneo, told CNBC.
The CJP movement suggests that the Modi government's "political and developmental narrative may not resonate as strongly with the next generation of voters," and challenges the "perception of the government's political invincibility," Chaturvedi said.
As per local media reports, the CJP's successful protest has already inspired a copycat group, E20 Janta Party , seeking the resignation of India's Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari over the mandate of mixing 20% ethanol with petrol. Indian farmers are also planning a protest to raise their concerns against the U.S.-India trade deal.
The success of the CJP protest is going to have a "galvanizing effect" on other civil society campaigns, said Kugelman of the Atlantic Council. The last time the Modi government had to concede to the demands of protestors was in 2021, following demonstrations held by farmers that lasted for over a year.
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