Quite surprising, but the Gen Z movement in India has begun against Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The students’ movement in New Delhi by the CJP (Cockroach Janata Party) has raised several eyebrows in the country. What the opposition could not do against Modi’s solid vote bank, large number of students did—unnerving his government and political base. A recent report done by BJP has confirmed that the popularity of Narendra Modi government has reduced a bit even while his personal charisma remained unchanged.
Why is Modi upset?
All begun with the CJP’s massive unrest against the paper leaks of a national examination where it was found that the education minister’s officers and even concerned provincial government’s bureaucrats were behind the paper leaks. The young students sparked the flame in country’s capital at New Delhi. In a bit to stand by union government, Supreme Court of India also added fuel to the fire by comparing the movement by cockroach is nothing but led by insects and parasites. The result was, CJP took up more and more issues apart from the issues within the ambit of Union Government. They have taken up judicial reform, which has been long pending exercise in India. The retort of Chief Justice of India, of comparing the movement of youths as a marching of parasites on the street, earned youth’s rage heavily. They are now decided to boycott the CJI of India in every sphere. These forces are against Hinduism as proclaimed by the current BJP government in India. They are also against the national medias which they call, “Godi media”. CJP has turned the guns against rampant opening of news channels and media outlets which do nothing but come out in support of present prime minister of India by drawing a larger-than-life figure of Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi understood the fallacy in his policy. He got rid of his education minister Dharmendra Pradhan before the movement could spiral into more disastrous. When the forces of Gen Z could rock the Supreme Court of India, Modi’s PMO is a small cat compared to them. The approach of the CJP towards the once much popular government of India, has also bewildered the foreign nations and their outlooks towards the powerful Indian Prime Minister. Modi knows it and bringing his key men to the cabinet in the upcoming changes of his cabinet.
However, it’s not first time that examination papers are leaked.
During Congress regime—from 2004 to 2014—there have been maximum paper leaks took place. According to government estimate, there are around 144 paper leaks took place across India during that time. But Congress is supporting the CJP movement as during this time many provincial governments were run by the non-Congress parties. It’s therefore at the front in supporting the CJP movement all though the CJP chief Abhijit Dipke has refused to accept that their movement needs opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. But the question now remains is: Can Modi be ousted of power in 2029 general election? There are anti-incumbency waves is flowing against the Modi government these days, none denies that. The Prime Minister, who handled the Kashmir unification in 2019, is unable to pass major bills in the parliament because of ruckus inside the both houses of Indian parliament. The bills are one-nation-one-poll bill, delimitation bill, which would allow Women’s Reservation Bills in parliament, and several other bills which are linked to public emancipation.
So has the Indian Prime Minister, noted as one of the most powerful world leaders now, weakened?
Answer depends on Modi’s upcoming bold steps within his party and his government as well. Insiders say he is going to chose more efficient cabinet ministers and people in various other portfolios. He would require to revamp the defence ministry which are going to massive purchase negotiations in the coming months. And PM is worried about corruption in it. So, he requires honest people around. The Gen Z’s movement on free and fair election has also hit the Prime Minister’s image. Common perception in India believes that the Election Commissioners chosen by him are the retired bureaucrats and were close to him in the past.
So, not only action. Perception does mater too. Narendra Modi would have to work on the both sides.
About the author
Rabi Banerjee is a India-based research consultant with 23 years of extensive journalism experience. His core research covers Indian politics, economy, national security and India’s ties with neighboring nations including China, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.