India’s online-based Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, has emerged as a major challenge for Narendra Modi’s government two weeks after youth-led protests forced the education minister to resign. The movement began in New Delhi over leaked government examination papers and alleged irregularities, then spread to cities across the country. It rapidly widened into a protest over unemployment, scarce job opportunities for young people and what protesters view as the government’s growing authoritarianism.

Under protest pressure, the education minister resigned on July 25, an unusual setback for the prime minister. The government has sought to win over young people, while parliament tightened penalties for examination paper leaks and police withdrew cases against protesters. Demonstrators used social media extensively, and Modi, a regular X user, became active on Instagram for the first time and posted a video there.

The protests also highlighted authorities’ use of AI-powered camera technology to monitor and identify demonstrators. Internet access was cut near the main protest site in New Delhi, disrupting communications. CJP says it will organize a nationwide listening program and continue supporting protests against exam irregularities. Demonstrations are continuing in Jharkhand.