The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has yet to contain the youth protests that began a few days ago in India over the leak of National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET-UG) question papers.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical social movement started in cyberspace by social media activist Abhijit Deepake, is behind the youth protests, Indian media reports. The name Cockroach comes from a remark made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a court hearing comparing unemployed young graduates to cockroaches. The young unemployed graduates of India, who have taken this insulting statement as their identity, have joined forces to protest the government under the online banner Cockroach Janta Party, created by artificial intelligence.
Unemployment in India has risen to 40% and is becoming a serious problem. A group of politicians, including Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who came to support the youth protest and protested in front of the Indian Prime Minister’s official residence, were arrested by Indian police yesterday and later released.
Although the Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi has condemned the arrest of opposition activists who were engaged in a peaceful protest, Indian security forces say that they had to be removed because they were staying in a high-security area. The police have also said that it is not an arrest.
Commenting on the situation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that special (fast-track) courts will be set up to quickly try cases related to exam fraud. In addition, he has also promised to take steps to resolve the problems of the youth. But the protesters say that this is not enough and that the Education Minister should resign.
Opposition political parties including the Indian National Congress are supporting these protests and are pressuring the government to remove the Education Minister and reform the examination system.
Foreign media reports that thousands of people have gathered in the Jantar Mantar area of New Delhi. Videos of police using tear gas and baton charges in some places can be seen on the Internet, and it is reported that protesters are currently gathering on the streets in Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities.
India is the fourth country in the region to face protests in the past four years, following protests in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Political analysts have warned that if the Indian government collapses in the current situation, it could trigger a serious political crisis in the South Asian region, including Sri Lanka.