Humour and memes fuel India's 'Cockroach' protest movement against Modi government

Young protesters in India are using humour, memes and parody videos to amplify their demonstrations, turning social media into a key battleground as they press the government for education reforms and greater accountability.

As thousands continue protesting in New Delhi, many are sharing jokes, satirical videos and viral content online, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, police actions and pro-government television coverage.

Observers say the online campaign has helped expand the movement beyond street protests, reaching a wider audience and increasing pressure on the government.

The movement, led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has embraced humour as a form of protest.

Videos of demonstrators running from police have been edited to resemble the popular mobile game Subway Surfers, while others joked about maintaining their fitness app records during clashes with security forces.

Some women protesters have also adopted social media trends by posting "get ready with me" videos before joining marches and showcasing homemade protective gear such as helmets and goggles.

Participants have also created parody videos mocking television anchors who have labelled the protesters as "anti-national" or accused them of being backed by foreign interests.

Several protesters interviewed by The Associated Press said humour helps them cope with the stress of the demonstrations and connects with younger audiences.

One 25-year-old protester said her generation is less willing to tolerate problems than previous generations and uses social media to express its frustration.

The protests began about a month ago following allegations of irregularities in several competitive examinations, including the leak of entrance exams for India's national medical programme.

Protesters have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing the government of failing to protect the integrity of the examination system.

Since then, the demonstrations have grown into a broader movement calling for greater government accountability and have spread to several cities.

At protest sites in New Delhi, many demonstrators carry humorous placards, wear costumes such as Spider-Man or Batman, and use pop culture references to communicate their message.

One sign asked, "When will AI take his job?" while another declared, "Every joke is a (tiny) revolution."

Some slogans have also used stronger language, reflecting the informal style common on social media.

A 23-year-old student said younger people prefer short, direct messages over lengthy speeches.

"We are the summary generation. We consume information quickly, so we use the same style to spread our message," the student said.

The movement has also increasingly targeted Prime Minister Modi personally.

Known for building his political image through social media, Modi has rarely been the subject of widespread public mockery. However, protesters have recently turned his speeches, gestures and public appearances into parody videos and memes.

After Modi released a selfie-style video on Thursday promising strict action against those responsible for examination paper leaks, social media users responded with edited versions featuring humorous voice-overs and references to previous promises they claimed had not been fulfilled.

One widely shared parody video edited Modi's opening greeting to protesters before cutting to three young women replying, "No, we are not."

A 21-year-old student said using social media was the most effective way to challenge the prime minister.

"We're just answering him in his own language," the student said.