Gen Z has a voice. Does CJP have a political agenda?

CJP's growing political activities have sparked questions over whether it truly represents India's Gen Z movement or is emerging as a political vehicle. The debate also highlights the diversity, independence and political maturity of young Indians.

New Delhi: With Cockroach Janta Party founders deciding to flex its muscles again on September 5, this time over the alleged failure of the Centre to withdraw cases against its supporters, the organisation’s activities and the larger Gen Z movement are once again back in the spotlight.

What began as a youth-led agitation has increasingly acquired a political character in the last month and half, raising an important question: are we witnessing a genuine Gen Z movement, or is CJP slowly emerging as a political vehicle?

In the last couple of weeks, people in different states have responded to the activities of CJP workers with clear political overtones. In Jaipur, people in an area reportedly chased away Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka, who had gone there to ‘inspect’ the infrastructure and facilities available in government schools. In Maharashtra, too, people have openly expressed displeasure over CJP founder Abhijit Dipke’s press statements.

Has the public realised so early that the CJP may have an ulterior motive and, therefore, refused to let its foot soldiers indulge in ‘vigilantism’ in the name of fixing accountability? The CJP founders and opposition leaders have attributed this pushback to a BJP strategy, arguing that both states are ruled by the BJP and that its workers may have actively worked against CJP.

Gen Z and the political narrative

After Pradhan’s resignation, political and social commentators dissected the Gen Z agitation and tried to identify the defining characteristics of the generation in India. A section of commentators contended that Gen Z is unhappy with the government’s policies and performance on education and employment.

Looking at the size of the Gen Z population in the country, many have argued that the Union government would have to listen to this new bloc, which represents the future of India while making policies and decisions. A section of civil society had even read the agitation, that shook the Union government and the BJP, as a possible beginning of regime change. Psephologist-turned-political activist Yogendra Yadav made a big claim in this context: from now on, the fate of Indian democracy would be decided on the streets. He praised the CJP movement and said, “The future of democracy in this country will not be decided by the Parliament, it will........

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